HEALTH bosses have reaffirmed their commitment to re-opening inpatient beds at Dorking Community Hospital.
As reported in the Advertiser in June, community healthcare provider Central Surrey Health (CSH) temporarily relocated the 12 beds in Ranmore Ward to Leatherhead in response to "early warning signs" that standards of care were dropping.
At the time, CSH managing director Tricia McGregor said the "precautionary measure" was expected to last three months while staff were recruited and retraining took place.
This week, CSH spokeswoman Rebecca Jones told the Advertiser just one of the six relocated patients remained at Leatherhead.
She added that "several good applications" had been received for the key position of ward manager.
Nursing vacancies had been advertised through NHS jobs and in local newspapers, the spokeswoman also said.
A meeting will take place between the CSH estates team and League of Friends representatives within the next two weeks to discuss improvements to the ward's reception area and nurses' station while the ward is empty.
