BRADFORD: THE upstairs ward at Bradford on Avon Hospital has closed after an inspection found it was unsafe.

The whole hospital has been temporarily closed to new admissions while patients from the seven-bed ward upstairs are moved downstairs to the nine-bed ward or discharged.

The Commission for Health Improvement inspected the hospital and expressed concerns about the safety of elderly patients on the upstairs ward in the event of an emergency evacuation.

The Commission recommended the closure of the ward to West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, which elected to close it this week.

PCT chairman Shiena Bowen said: "This is a health and safety issue.

"In recent months the hospital has found itself having to use the upstairs ward for frail patients who are mostly in their 80s and 90s.

"These are not modern facilities and are not in keeping with modern clinical care.

"There is no doubt that a substantial financial investment would be required if we were to ensure the ward fully complies with health and safety measures.

"We are determined to provide modern clinical services in the most cost-effective way.

"In developing our thinking, we will be making every possible effort to engage the local community."

Plans for a new hospital and housing on the site were given the all-clear in September 2000, but the PCT has yet to get the new building underway.

John Cottle, chairman of Bradford Hospital League of Friends, said a lift to the upstairs ward was to blame for the closure.

He said: "The lift is not suitable for carting beds up and down and there is no defibrillation equipment which is essential in case there is an emergency.

"One can look at this in two ways we can look at it positively on the basis that it's safer to shut the ward and now the PCT has recognised the need for more modern services I hope they will get on and build the new hospital they promised us.

"On the negative side you could see what had happened at Warminster and worry that we are next for closure.

"I have to look upon this as something that has got to happen for us to move forward with the new hospital."