PATIENTS say they are "relieved" that six beds are being saved in the closure-threatened rheumatology department at Grimsby's hospital.
As reported, the gold standard-rated ward at the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital was being considered for closure in a bid to save up to £355,800.
The rheumatology ward – which was part of a £4.4 million redevelopment last year – is the only one within Northern Lincolnshire And Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
A leaked draft of a Rheumatology Service Review outlined numerous options which would have seen D1 Hazel ward closed to help the Trust meet the £15 million savings it must make each year.
Collette Cunningham, general manager for medicine at the hospital, said: "The Trust undertook a rheumatology review with the aim of looking for ways in which we can improve the service, ensure provision meets demand, and provide the best care possible as well as the best value for money.
"The outcome is that six rheumatology beds will be maintained in the Amethyst/D1 Hazel unit.
"More and more rheumatology cases can be dealt with as outpatients, so our day case and outpatient services will now be remodelled.
"This means the hospital will have appropriate bed capacity to continue to provide a quality service with highly effective clinical outcomes for patients who have acute rheumatology needs."
A patient of the ward, who dubbed the possibility of closure "absolutely devastating", added: "A lot of people will be relieved at this news and that common sense appears to have prevailed.
"It really does beggar belief that the Trust even considered closing these beds in the first place.
"Patients and their families will be delighted with this news and that a first-class facility will remain open.
"It's a nice change to hear something positive about our local NHS."
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