MORE details about the closure of Chard Hospital’s inpatient beds has been revealed as Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust held a consultation day in the town.

At the consultation, which was held at Chard Council Offices in The Guildhall, county councillor Amanda Broom handed over another 500 signatures on her petition, which calls for a secure future for the community hospital. This takes the total number of people who have signed it so far to 3,625.

A spokesman for Somerset Partnership also revealed last week which other facilities will be forced to take the strain after Chard Hospital partially closes next week.

Crewkerne Hospital, which already has the highest monthly agency spend in the county, will open an additional six beds.

Wincanton, which is around 45 minutes from Chard for those who are able to drive, will take on an additional eight beds.

Up to 10 more beds could be opened at Wincanton Hospital if the demand higher in the winter.

Additional beds are also set to be opened in Burnham-on-Sea, Minehead and West Mendip to take demand from the closure of Shepton Mallet Hospital.

The spokesman added: “In terms of patients from Chard, they will go to Crewkerne, South Petherton and Wincanton.

“Staff will mostly move to other hospitals.

“We are working with each individual staff member to consider their personal circumstances and support temporary redeployment.”