West Suffolk Hospital NHS trust reviewing future of King Suite at Glastonbury Court care home in Bury St Edmunds

A suite which offers rehabilitation to medically-fit hospital patients faces an uncertain future as an NHS trust looks to cut costs.

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) has launched a review into the King Suite at Glastonbury Court care home in Bury St Edmunds.

The facility, which opened in 2017, has 20 beds and about 35 staff, who provide care and support for West Suffolk Hospital patients before they are discharged home.

The trust said its contract with Glastonbury Court, which is run by Care UK, was coming up for renewal and they were taking time to review it as part of its savings drive.

According to board papers from a recent meeting of the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), West Suffolk’s reported income and expenditure for the year to February was a deficit of £24.9m against an external planned deficit of £15.6m.

It said the trust continued to make progress on its recovery trajectory.

Kevin McGinness, associate director of adult community services at WSFT, said: “We’re committed to living within our means, being financially responsible, and sustainable for the future.

“That’s why the trust is reviewing a range of services as part of its financial recovery programme.”

He said the trust had decided to expand its pathway one care provision and bring care closer to home.

“As part of this decision, the trust will be engaging with staff and a range of stakeholders over the coming months to explore what this means for them,” said Mr McGinness.

“We’ll work with, and support, our brilliant community staff so they can continue to deliver exceptional care for patients.”

When the suite opened in February 2017, it was billed as one of the trust’s key innovations to support the management of winter pressures.

Based in a separate wing at Glastonbury Court, patients were able to benefit from single rooms, en-suite bathrooms and access to a lounge, dining room and grounds.

At the time of its launch, the trust said it was supported by a comprehensive multidisciplinary team including two consultants, GPs, therapists, nursing and community staff.

The ICB papers from March 25 said the trust had, to date, received £21m in revenue (deficit) support and £2.1m of working capital revenue support.

The trust was awarded a further £2.9m of revenue deficit support for March.

However, it said the cash position remained critical and cash support will continue to be required in to 2025/26.