Statement: Re-opening Abbey ward at Whitby Hospital

The NHS in Whitby is exploring options to ensure it has sufficient capacity as part of its response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Humber NHS Foundation Trust and NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group are well prepared for outbreaks of infectious diseases and part of these preparations includes the re-opening of the Abbey ward to provide additional capacity.

Abbey ward can provide up to 30 additional beds and these beds will only be used if required. As such, there is currently no set opening date for this ward.

The ward will provide treatment for patients who present with COVID-19 symptoms and/or no longer need an acute hospital bed but who require additional support and rehabilitation before being able to return to their usual place of residence.

Any COVID-positive patients who are admitted to the Abbey ward will be those with mild or moderate symptoms and have been discharged to the ward 14 days post-onset of their symptoms.

Patients who require high levels of support, for example with mechanical ventilation, will continue to be treated at York, Scarborough General Hospital or James Cook Hospital.

We have put measures in place to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff at Whitby Hospital while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.