WOMEN facing gynaecological procedures will be treated alongside general patients if Poole Hospital’s plans to close its specialist ward go ahead.

A nurse has warned of the psychological effect on women admitted for conditions including late terminations and gynaecological cancer if the unit is slimmed down and moved to a general ward.

She said: “I don’t think they realise the importance of the time and dedication given by people experienced in these things.

“The hospital is in the red and needs to save money, but why does it always look at the front line? Why don’t they cut back on management?”

Nursing staff numbers will be slashed from about 29 to five, the Echo understands, raising concerns for the future of one-to-one care.

“When a woman comes in for a termination, ideally one nurse is allocated because the psychological impact is awful and so frightening for the patient.

“Nurses being nurses, they will try and make it work, but I just don’t see how they can,” she said.

The hospital plans to close its specialist gynaecological ward B5 on November 14, and to move the unit to one end of a redesignated ward to be shared with patients admitted for ear, nose, throat, head, and facial treatment.

Five experienced nurses are expected to move from the specialist gynaecological ward to the new shared ward.

Hospital bosses have pledged to do all they can to find jobs on surgical and medical wards for the ward’s remaining nursing staff. The number of gynaecologists will remain the same.

“We will continue to treat both emergency and planned patients, and provide our patients with the same high level of dignity and care,” said a hospital spokeswoman.

Not all of the 29 beds on the ward were occupied by gynaecological patients, she said, adding that the new ward was closer to operating theatres.

The Royal Bournemouth Hospital, which offers gynaecological treatment from its Women’s Health Unit, refused to say whether it had been informed of Poole Hospital’s plans. A spokeswoman said that details of the capacity of its women’s health unit could only be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act.