Temporary ward closure

As a result of an ongoing staff shortage, the Trust has agreed with our commissioning colleagues at NHS England to temporarily close one of our four wards in the low secure service at Clifton House, York. Maintaining patient safety through safe staffing levels is our number one priority.

Westerdale Ward will temporarily close at the end of November, with a view to reopening by April.

The service users who are currently being cared for on Westerdale Ward will be moved to other appropriate wards within the Trust, and all service users and their families have been informed of the temporary closure.

Tom Mullen, Clinical Director for Specialist and Learning Disability Services, said: “We appreciate that this is potentially unsettling news for service users and staff, but the Trust and NHS England strongly believe that the temporary closure is the right thing to do in terms of safety, quality and service user experience.

“The temporary closure provides us with an opportunity to accelerate the planned refurbishment and improvements to the ward environment, and will allow us to continue to work on an extensive recruitment programme.”