Closure of Ward 23, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead
This is devastating news. Not only are we concerned about 1) future provision for the health and wellbeing of the client group – people with physical health problems and dementia – but we are also concerned about 2) the knock-on effect to other parts of the service and carers and 3) the decision-making process carried out by Gateshead Health NHS Trust.
***Read on – scroll down to the bottom of the page for initial posts, and read upwards….***
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Wednesday 10th December 2025 – The Lowdown
See todays article from John lister in The Lowdown – reports on our huge concerns re the closure of Ward 23
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Wednesday 1st October 2025 – Campaigning in Gateshead
The sudden shut down was known to some and news to others – but the same response from all. Gateshead residents shopping at Tesco Extra in Trinity Square in Gateshead all voiced feelings of unhappiness and despondency regarding the decision of Gateshead Health NHS Trust to decommission Ward 23 at QEH….and anger at the lack of public consultation. Many knew of family or friends who had received treatment on the ward.
Leafletting also at Gateshead Bus / Metro Interchange and at Gateshead Civic Centre.
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Tuesday 30th September 2025 – alerts to political parties, Integrated Care Board and organisations in Gateshead
Updates incl website links, flyer and Statement to the Board circulated in Gateshead and surrounding area
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Tuesday 30th September 2025 – Leaflet – self printing
Please click the link here to self print flyers for distribution. 2 leaflets per a4
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Monday 29th September 2025 – BBC Radio Newcastle
Important to get this appalling decision by Gateshead Health NHS Trust out far and wide. BBC Radio Newcastle picked up the reports on our media – interviewed a member of the Campaign team this morning
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Thursday 25th September 2025 – The protest gets support from Gateshead hospital staff and patients – but the Board…..?
Keen KONPNE campaigners saw an early morning (7.15am…..) start at Queen Elizabeth Hospital to catch up with the day / night staff changeovers, and then over to the Trust HQ to catch up with the Board, prior to their Board Meeting at 9.30am.
Lots of leaflets handed out at the hospital gates – to pedestrians and those in cars – and masses of support in return. After the Chronicle coverage about the appalling decision of the Board to shut down Ward 23, which provided a valuable service to those older people experiencing dementia and physical health problems, it seems that the whole of Gateshead are concerned about this loss. Click here for more information about this.
Campaigners were pleased to speak with Dr Gill Findley, Deputy Chief Exec, Gateshead Health who, it has to be said, came outside Trust HQ before the Board Meeting to talk – but, clearly, no shift as yet in her views on our stance that the ward should not have been closed in the first place, and also our views that there needs to be a proper PUBLIC consultation on the closure of a ward!! The closure of Ward 23 is a massive change in service provision from, primarily, an in-patient unit to a community-based service – and, in our view, this requires a PUBLIC CONSULTATION. And losing 24 beds? Winter bed crisis in Gateshead looms….
to read the article about the Protests in tonights Chronicle
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Thursday 25th September 2025 – Feedback from NHS Nurses (retired) living south of the Tyne, now active KONPNE campaigners / Steering Group members
Maddy Nettleship, NHS Nurse (retired): “Ward 23 was an innovative service and a great boost to care for people with dementia who became physically unwell. It combined expertise in both physical and mental health for older people and was very well thought of. Nurses throughout the Trust are very concerned about the knock-on effect of this closure, let alone the loss of 24 beds which will have an enormous impact on winter pressures – and therefore on carer and staff stress. The Board needs to remember that QEH is OUR hospital”
Pat Fraser, NHS Nurse (retired): “Gateshead Health NHS Trust state that consultation with the public is not needed in this specific situation, but we disagree. When it comes to cuts and changes to the way public services are delivered, then the public need to be involved. We need to see Ward 23 reopened and a clear commitment from the Trust to be open about any future proposed changes”
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Tuesday 23rd September 2025 – Campaigners call for U Turn at Gateshead Council Health Scrutiny Committee
Campaigners Pat F and John spoke at the Gateshead Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee this afternoon….and found that we are not the only people concerned about the closure of Ward 24 at QE Hospital Gateshead and the process of closure carried out by Gateshead Health NHS Trust….
Dr Gill Findley (Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Exec, Gateshead Health NHS Trust) presented information to the Council Committee about current demands on the Trust and highlighted that “Gateshead Health has more beds than most other organisations of our size” and that “hospital care is not always the best thing for patients”. She concluded the presentation with a focus on the closure of Ward 23, confirming that the closure of Ward 23 wasn’t a decision taken in isolation, and that there would be additional community staff, virtual wards, and training in dementia care for in-patient teams. She stated “any patient who needs in-patient care will get in-patient care – I am very confident that this will happen”
In response to the presentation, Councillor Dot Burnett stated that there had been a lack of information from the Trust and, whilst she had some knowledge (in her capacity of Trust Governor) that a ward would be closed, she wasn’t informed which ward, and with no specific information about the process of closure. Likewise, Councillor Lynne Caffrey (Chair of Gateshead Council Health and Wellbeing Board) stated that there had been “a lack of consultation around issues, the people in Gateshead are very concerned”. Cllr Caffrey highlighted that the 20 “High Impact Schemes” referred to in Dr Findleys presentation had not been shared with the Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Board and how there is “a very poor level of communication between Gateshead Health Trust and Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Board at the current moment in time”. Yvonne Probert (Gateshead Healthwatch) noted how the Health Trust had consulted with staff and partners – but wondered if the Trust had spoken to patients.
We call for a U Turn. Addressing the meeting, Campaigners provided key information about the KONPNE group, the type of work carried out over the last 15 years, and the current huge concern over the closure of Ward 23 – highlighting concern about future provision for the client group (older people with physical health problems / dementia), concern about the knock-on effect to other parts of the service and carers, and concern about the lack of public consultation (the Trust claims there to be no substantial variation in how services are accessed by the client group, so a public consultation was not required….however… there has been a move from an in-patient based service to one which is, primarily, community based…?!). Our statement concluded with two demands – the reopening of Ward 23 and public consultation on all significant changes to future health provision.
So – in short – much dissatisfaction expressed to the Health Trust. The Chair requested information about the impact of the closure of Ward 23, and this was agreed by Dr Findley, who spoke of “lessons learnt and the need for the Health Trust to be clearer about changes”. In terms of reopening the ward and the need for PUBLIC consultations in the future, as required by KONPNE – no shift. We continue with the Campaign.
Liaison / consultation / engagement / collaboration with the public???
to read the report in the Chronicle about todays meeting: Calls for U Turn on unacceptable dementia ward closure
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Wednesday 17th September 2025 – Statement to the Board prepared by KONPNE
for the Statement to Gateshead Health NHS Trust Board, sent today
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Tuesday 16th September 2025 – Information leaflet prepared by KONPNE
Copies on KONPNE facebook, x and Whatsapp – please circulate:
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Monday 1st September 2025 – A reply from Gateshead Health NHS Trust re ward closure
We remain very concerned about the closure of the highly-regarded Ward 23 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead – for information, scroll down to the posts on 6th and 17th August 2025.
A Freedom of Information request was made by KONPNE members and, today, we received responses to our three questions from the Trust.
to read the responses from Gateshead Health Trust.
Apparently, there was no public consultation process, as the Trust believes there to be “no substantial variation in how services are accessed by patients”. Really? The ward is closing down, the treatment is apparently being picked up by Community staff and, if in-patient treatment is required, then the patient will go to a generic in-patient ward – not one that specialises in dementia / physical health presentations. A HUGE change. The actions of the Trust are not acceptable. All to be discussed at the KONPNE campaign meeting on 4th September – click here for details. Watch this space.
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Sunday 17th August 2025 – Freedom of Information request to Gateshead Health NHS Trust + emails to Gateshead MPs and Council Chair
Devastating news that Ward 23 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead will close as “part of cost cutting measures” – to read more about this, scroll down to our post below on 6th August 2025.
We understand that staff at the hospital and relatives are outraged. More information is needed about this, the consultation process and the plan of action.
to read the email to Kate Osborne MP (Jarrow and Gateshead East). Emails have also been sent to Mark Ferguson MP (Gateshead Central and Whickham) and Liz Twist MP (Blaydon and Consett) from constituents / supporters of KONPNE (Friday 15th August 2025). Email to Sharon Hodgson MP (Washington and Gateshead South) sent Sunday 31st August 2025.
to read the Freedom of Information request to Gateshead Health NHS Trust (Saturday 16th August 2025)
and
to read the email to Cllr Lynne Castrey, Gateshead Council (Sunday 17th August 2025)
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Wednesday 6th August 2025 – Closure of Dementia / Physical Health ward at QE, Gateshead
Devastating news today that Ward 23 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital will close as “part of cost cutting measures”.
In a report to the Board, trust management said: “Following a formal consultation process, we are proceeding with the proposal to close Ward 23, one of our older persons’ wards. Whilst this does reflect the need to meet our Cost Reduction Programme (CRP) it is important to note that it forms part of a broader move towards supporting patients in the community”
Ward 23 was set up as an innovative 24-bed approach to caring for elderly people who experience both physical and mental health issues. We understand that staff at the hospital and relatives are outraged at this sudden announcement – as are members of KONPNE. We will be following up on this development and we need to see a clear plan.
Apparently, the plan is to strengthen community-based care – but surely the whole point is that this client group requires integrated (mental health and physical health) and intensive 24 hr support. There will undoubtedly be knock-on effect on other inpatient wards at QE and, additionally, we all know that existing community-based health interventions are at breaking point, and this will move will place increased pressures on existing community services and hard-working community staff.
This move is appalling.
for the report in todays Chronicle
and
for the earlier Chronicle report (9th June 2025)
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