Ward to close at Llandudno Hospital

Dec 23 2010 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

A MEDICAL ward at Llandudno Hospital is to close with the loss of 20 beds because the health board says they’re lying empty and they need the space for a new rheumatology unit.

But hospital campaigners believe this is part of a ploy to divert patients away from the hospital. And they’re worried patients are being sent to Bangor or Bodelwyddan when they could be treated nearer home.

“They’re making changes which could affect the community without consulting the people it will affect most – patients and their families,” said Llandudno Hospital Action Group chairman Linda Groom.

“If people can’t be treated at Llandudno because there isn’t a bed for them then families face a 20 mile journey to visit them, and in some cases this is very difficult as they don’t have transport.

“They say there’s no demand for these 20 beds, but we believe they’ve been sending patients elsewhere and putting more emphasis on people being cared for in the community. The problem is that home carers aren’t medically trained and we believe patients could be put at risk.”

But the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board claims the ward closure is in the best interests of patients and will help enable a £50m improvement plan for the hospital to go ahead.

“Over the last few months up to twenty beds across three wards in Llandudno have been closed. These beds are to be consolidated into one area, allowing best use of the beds available in the remaining two wards.

“Releasing this space will allow the redevelopment of the Llandudno Hospital site to get underway, starting with the expansion of rheumatology services,” said a board spokesman.

He said the aim was to ensure staff are redeployed to avoid job losses.

Under the redevelopment plan the hospital could get a new purpose built Minor Injuries Unit, a bigger outpatient unit, a women’s health centre, a medical day unit, improved therapy facilities, refurbishment of existing wards, and the possibility of opening more operating theatres.