Background
In November 2005, there were 80 community hospitals under threat of cuts or closure. However, now 166 community hospitals have either closed or are under threat of closure – more than half of those that still exist. Over 3,000 community hospital beds have been lost since 1999.

WI members recognise that the current Government appears to support the ideal of community hospitals. However they are concerned that the reality on the ground is that many are threatened or have closed, forcing people to seek health care further away from their locality. This has serious repercussions especially for older people, pregnant women and those with young children.

Community Hospitals Manifesto
The NFWI has signed the Community Hospitals Manifesto drafted by the Community Hospitals Association and Community Hospitals Acting Nationally Together. The Manifesto aims to ensure that patients, families and communities have a right to choose to benefit from community hospital care. The Royal College of Nurses representing over 400,000 nurses have also signed the Manifesto. To download a copy of the Manifesto, see the panel on the right hand side of this page.