Over 600 residents have signed a petition opposing the planned closure of the stroke rehabilitation center at Hollybank House in Willenhall. Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust intends to shut down the facility on Coltham Road and transfer services to West Park Hospital in Wolverhampton.
The trust explained that Hollybank House requires a £500,000 renovation to meet current healthcare standards. Instead of funding these upgrades, the trust proposes reallocating resources to enhance at-home rehabilitation services for stroke patients.
Lead petitioner Dianne Bettridge criticized the decision, emphasizing the importance of keeping stroke rehabilitation services within Walsall. “Walsall residents want to recover closer to home,” Bettridge said. “Moving rehabilitation beds to Wolverhampton means patients lose vital community-based support. As a professional within this team, I know how essential these services are.”
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Stephanie Cartwright, community partnership director for the trust, addressed concerns at the health and social care scrutiny committee on November 4. She stated, “Hollybank House is no longer compliant for healthcare delivery and would require significant investment to maintain services." She outlined the trust’s vision for a model where patients spend less time hospitalized and receive improved care in their own homes.
Cartwright added that inpatient stroke rehabilitation beds would be consolidated at West Park Hospital. The trust explored alternative options, including relocating to Walsall Manor Hospital and a former care home, but found neither feasible. She reassured that no staff redundancies are expected as a result of the changes.
Bettridge highlighted the impact on accessibility, particularly for residents of outlying areas like Aldridge, questioning why the unit must be based in Wolverhampton rather than within Walsall borough. Reading a patient’s testimonial, Bettridge shared concerns over the lack of clear evidence supporting the proposed model change and praised the quality of care at Hollybank House.
In response, Dr. Simon Harlin of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust emphasized the substantial evidence supporting the service restructuring, while director of nursing Kelly Geffen underscored that patient safety and care quality remain top priorities. “Our goal is to enhance services by supporting patients at home whenever possible,” Geffen stated.
The proposed closure has ignited robust debate, with community members demanding that stroke rehabilitation services remain accessible and integrated within Walsall to prioritize patient well-being and local support.