Email to Cllr Lynne Castrey, 17th August 2025

Cutting services at QEH Gateshead

 
Dear Lynne
I hope that you are keeping well.  
As you are aware, I write on behalf of the local campaign group “Keep Our NHS Public North East” and, as always, your response will be shared with members of the group.

We were appalled to learn of the imminent closure of Ward 23 at QE Hospital, Gateshead. This was recently reported in the Chronicle at https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/dementia-ward-close-gateshead-hospital-32202345     You will, of course, appreciate that this is a unique and well-used unit, and was set up as an innovative approach to treating elderly people with both mental health and physical health problems. It will be a huge loss to the people of Gateshead.

Whilst we recognise that the NHS is experiencing a very challenging time due to the level of government funding, the closure of Ward 23 reflects a direct cut to frontline services and therefore must be challenged.  Gateshead Health NHS Trust are open in stating that this closure is driven by cost-cutting measures and we are aware that staff at the hospital and relatives are outraged at this decision. 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 hour treatment and support. There will undoubtedly be a knock-on effect on other inpatient wards at QE, as these needs will still need to be met. Additionally, we all know that community-based health interventions are at breaking point and this move will place increased pressures on existing community services and hard-working community staff.

Although the decision has been made on this by the Trust, I write to you in your capacity of Gateshead Councillor, Chair of Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Board and Chair of the Integrated Care Partnership (North). We feel that you are in a key position in representing the views of constituents and in ensuring good services in Gateshead in the future.

We would be grateful if you would please let us know your views on this, plus information / links about discussions with Gateshead Health NHS Trust, what yourself / Gateshead Councillors did to oppose this move, and the plans that the Council and the NHS Trust have to ensure that the specific needs of this vulnerable client group are met.

I thank you for your attention

John

John Whalley 

Steering Group member

Keep Our NHS Public North East
No cuts or cash-driven closures  |  Fair pay for all NHS staff  |  A fully-funded, universal, publicly owned and publicly provided National Health Service 
 
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Response from Cllr Castrey, received 19th August 2025:
 
Hi John 
 
Thank you for your email about the QE hospital cost reduction programme and their consultation on a ward closure. 
 
The Hospital had no formal responsibility for consulting via the Health and Wellbeing Board, so any discussions around this, with the Council Cabinet, myself and the HWB Vice Chair,  have been informal.
 
 However, the Hospital do have a duty to inform the Council of any changes in service provision via the Care, Health and Well-being Overview and Scrutiny Committee, chaired by Councillor Stuart Green.  This committee next meets on 23rd September at 1.30pm in the Civic Centre and I understand an item regarding the potential closure of Ward 23 will be on the Agenda. 
 
I have copied in the Committee Chair, Cllr Stuart Green, as OSC meetings are open to the public, so he may be prepared to allow you to ask a question.
 
Please be assured that we want to see service for this vulnerable community continue to meet actual needs, so we will also be asking relevant questions.
 
Best wishes 
Lynne Caffrey 
 
Councillor Lynne Caffrey
Chair Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Board 
Chopwell and Rowlands Gill Ward
Gateshead Council
 
 Co-Chair, NHS NENC, Integrated Care Partnership North and Central. 
 
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