Plaid concern at possible hospital bed cuts
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd has written to Abertawe Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust Chief Executive Paul Williams concerning the proposed loss of beds at Hill House and Singleton Hospitals.
It is reported that Trust Managers are looking to close wards and reduce the number of beds in the two hospitals, with Hill House coming under the spotlight once again – only 2 years after the proposal was last mooted.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“Only 2 years ago Ward 1 at Hill House, along with Fairwood hospital, was destined for closure by the Trust. However, due to strong opposition locally, we managed to keep them open, arguing that the support networks within community care were simply not in place.
“Unfortunately, it seems that the Trust management are keen to go down the same route again, and reduce the number of beds in the system. I fear that there has been little change in the community care provision and so I am surprised with regards to this latest proposal from the Trust.
“With an ageing population we are going to see an increase in the number of people who will need medical treatment, and while many can be accommodated by community care, there will always be a group of people who are well enough to leave an acute hospital bed, but not well enough to be at home. Units such as Hill House have a vital role to play in this regard.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“I have written to the Trust’s Chief Executive in the hope of meeting to discuss the issues. I appreciate that there are budgetary pressures facing all public bodies, but the Health Service has received an increase of over 5% from the Assembly Government this year – more than other public sector bodies such as local Councils.
“We need to take heed of the current bed situation in Swansea. If wards at Hill House and Singleton Hospitals were closed, where would these patients go? I do not feel that the beds exist within the system, as borne out by continuing concerns with regards bed crisis in Morriston Hospital. This is an important issue which the Trust needs to take into consideration when making any strategic decisions on Swansea’s Health Service.”
