Mayor of Fordingbridge Jean Willis opens a quilt exhibition in the town hall earlier this year. DA5736P3HOSPITAL patients in Fordingbridge are being denied home comforts and day trips following decisions made by New Forest primary care trust.

Members of the town's quilting and patching group are preparing to fight the announcement that their patchwork blankets are not allowed in the hospital.

In a further blow to patient wellbeing, Friends of Fordingbridge Hospital have heard that they are no longer allowed to arrange patient outings.

The quilters have spent many hours making colourful patchwork quilts for the hospital ward, only to learn at the last minute that they cannot be used.

One quilter, who did not wished to be named, said the whole group was deeply upset at the news.

She said hospital guides have shown that patients recover much quicker in a normal, homely atmosphere.

"The hospital has already been using four quilts in the palliative care unit and they have them in the hospice," she said.

A spokeswomen for New Forest PCT said the quilts not only posed a fire hazard but also carried the risk of spreading the hospital super-bug MRSA.

She said: "The safety of patients in our hospitals is priority. While we are very grateful for the efforts of the group who made these quilts, it's our duty to ensure that they meet British safety standards.

"Our health and safety team have tested these materials, which were extremely flammable and gave off a great deal of black smoke when burned.

"They do not meet the stringent requirements set out in the NHS fire code. It's not just the fire requirements, it's health and safety too, regarding infection control. We cannot - now that we know this - let them stay on patient's beds."

Town mayor Jean Willis, a member of the quilting group, said she was "very disappointed" at the decision, which she said had come too late.

At least 20 quilts have already been completed, with many more in progress.

She said: "I am very sad to think we have put all this work in and now they tell us it's not acceptable.

"All hospitals have got sheets and coverlets - surely you can't have everything that is completely fire-proof?"

Commenting on the risk of infection, Mrs Willis said she could not think that a patchwork quilt posed more of an infection risk than ordinary bed linen.

"The rules and regulations are depriving people when they need things most," she added.

A spokeswoman for the primary care trust said: "The PCT will be happy for the group to continue making the quilts, provided they use materials that meet British safety and infection control standards."

Mrs Willis also said she failed to understand why the PCT had put a stop to patient trips.

Most of the patients admitted to Fordingbridge Hospital are elderly and require long-term or respite care she said.

The hospital also has a specially adapted minibus to take elderly and disabled people.

Commenting on the cancellation of the outings, the PCT spokeswoman said: "Although we appreciate that, in the past, outings were part of the routine at Fordingbridge Hospital, the category of patients now admitted to Fordingbridge Hospital makes this inappropriate.

"New ways of working also mean that patients are spending less and less time in hospital."

Ward staff at the hospital have been told they need to build a business plan, including risk assessment, if they want to organise outings for patients.