Hampshire NHS Trust plans to close 20 rehabilitation beds at Petersfield Hospital as part of a wider drive to expand home-based care across South East Hampshire.

The plans were presented to Hampshire County Council under the Trust’s “Home First” model, which aims to help more patients recover at home instead of in hospital wards.

The Portsmouth and South-East Hampshire (PSEH) Care Division currently operates 138 physical health beds across Portsmouth, Gosport, and Petersfield.

Its rehabilitation services, including home-based care, support an average of 25 patients a day to be discharged from Queen Alexandra Hospital.

Under the proposals, Rowan Ward at Petersfield would close its 20 inpatient rehabilitation beds, with a further 20 beds proposed to close at the Summerlee Unit in Portsmouth.

The total combined number of rehabilitation beds, including inpatient and hospital-at-home, would remain at 293.

Around 40 additional “virtual beds” — home-based rehabilitation slots staffed by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and rehabilitation assistants — would replace the inpatient capacity.

The Trust says the “Home First” approach can improve outcomes, reduce unnecessary hospital stays, and better match services to local demand, which increasingly favours home-based rehabilitation.

It plans to move some resources from hospital wards into community teams to expand home-based services.

Community hospital sites, including the Summerlee Unit and Petersfield Hospital, will continue to operate as key NHS facilities with essential services.

Inpatient rehabilitation will still be available for patients who need it.

The Trust says there are no plans for changes to other parts of either Summerlee Unit or Petersfield Hospital.

It is working with local partners to explore how any vacated space, such as Rowan Ward, could be used to benefit patients and the community, potentially by expanding other health services.

No formal changes will take place until a decision is made by commissioners at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB).

If approved, a timeline for implementation will be shared.