FURTHER beds could be lost at Dorset County Hospital as part of a project to create a dedicated ward for cancer inpatients.

Plans to go for consultation would also create an Integrated Assessment Unit but a reduction of 22 beds across the hospital.

The proposals come in the second phase of a savings project implemented last year that brought a reduction of 38 beds.

The 14-bed cancer ward would aim to ensure that patients are treated in an appropriate environment with suitably trained staff.

The Integrated Assess-ment Unit would help emergency patients receive rapid diagnosis, faster theatre preparation leading to swifter treatment and less time in hospital.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust insists that despite the reduction in the number of beds there would be no job losses but some staff would be redeployed.

Staff are being consulted about the proposals with a view to making the changes in April.

The hospital’s director of operations Patricia Miller said: “We have developed several initiatives over the last few months to reduce the length of stay for patients.

“This has now created the opportunity to use the vacated capacity to improve services for patients even further.

“The creation of a cancer ward will enable us to offer patients with acute oncology and haematological conditions a high quality of care in a dedicated facility.

“The expansion of our emergency medical unit will also offer emergency patients access to rapid diagnostics.”

Andy Hutchings, a patient governor for the hospital, said he felt the plans for a dedicated cancer ward was a positive step but he is to seek more details about the proposed bed closures from the Trust board at the next hospital governors’ meeting on February 27.

He said: “I welcome the initiative for the cancer ward but I will item for an update on the bed closures at the governors’ meeting.”