Plans to move Thornbury Hospital patients to a new facility are to be put before South Gloucestershire councillors.

The initiative by Sirona care & health is supported by Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG) which commissions the service and by North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) which owns the hospital site.

Details will be outlined to councillors at next Wednesday’s Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee.

The plan is to relocate the current Henderson Ward to a new nursing home development known as the Henderson Rehabilitation Unit.

Sirona already operates a similar inpatient rehabilitation unit in Yate.

Plans for outpatient clinics currently held at the hospital by Sirona and NBT are also being developed.

Jenny Theed, director of nursing and operations at Sirona, said: “We believe this will improve quality of provision for local people.

“The current in-patient unit is very cramped for the 20 individuals who are cared for there. The amount of available space reduces our ability to give people intensive therapy which is needed to ensure they are as mobile as possible.

“Our staff have been doing an amazing job in difficult conditions and they will all be moving to the new location and are excited as we are about the prospect.”

David Jarrett, South Gloucestershire Area Director, from BNSSG CCG, said: “We fully support Sirona’s plans to move the Henderson Ward rehabilitation beds to the new facility which should provide improved facilities for people just a short distance from the current hospital site.

Cllr Toby Savage, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We support this move, the condition and layout of Henderson Ward does not support 21st Century rehabilitation services."

Tricia Down, head of sustainable health and capital planning at NBT, said: "We are pleased that Sirona will be continuing to provide inpatient services in Thornbury through this innovative approach.

Shirley Holloway, chair of Thornbury Hospital’s League of Friends, said: “The League of Friends is very sad but understands why our patients and staff are leaving Henderson Ward.

We are pleased services are remaining in Thornbury and we will continue to support those people in the new Henderson Rehabilitation Unit.”

The plan is to move the service in early November.