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Gorseinon Hospital Faces Potential Bed Reductions as Health Board Seeks Public Input
Health leaders are inviting community feedback on proposed plans that could lead to the permanent closure of 30 beds at Gorseinon Hospital, Swansea. The beds were temporarily transferred to Singleton Hospital in Sketty last year, and the Swansea Bay University Health Board is now considering making this change permanent.
A public engagement exercise is currently underway and will continue until October 26. As part of this effort, a drop-in event is scheduled at St Catherine’s Church in Gorseinon from 2pm to 7pm on Wednesday, September 16, where locals can learn more about the proposals.
Mike Hedges, MS for Gwyr Abertawe, highlighted the importance of maintaining safe and suitable health services, expressing concern that reducing the total number of beds could exacerbate existing pressures on hospital resources.
Concerns regarding patient care were raised by hospital staff in April, who indicated that they were managing an overwhelming number of patients, particularly in the West Ward, which sometimes housed up to 48 patients. Staff have also noted a reliance on agency staff and reported unmet calls for necessary security upgrades.
In September, the decision was made to transfer what the health board deemed as 30 funded in-patient beds from Gorseinon’s West Ward to Ward 3 at Singleton Hospital. This was described in a public engagement document as a move to enhance safety for patients and staff, addressing concerns raised by families.
The document stated that Gorseinon Hospital had once accommodated additional patients through temporary “surge” beds during peak periods at Morriston Hospital, but the transfer aimed to create a safer clinical environment with improved access to senior nursing support.
Health Inspectorate Wales conducted an inspection of Ward 3 in May, which recognised the quality of care provided by staff but also recommended various improvements.
The health board noted that reversing the bed transfer would risk undoing the progress made at Singleton Hospital and would necessitate additional investment in security and medical cover at a time of financial constraints.
As part of their plans, health officials are also looking to expand the community services offered at Gorseinon Hospital, potentially including new services such as sexual health.
While the health board assured that there would be no risk to staff jobs, they indicated that employees who previously worked at Gorseinon Hospital would face a permanent relocation if the proposals received approval in November.
Residents are encouraged to participate in the public consultation to voice their opinions on the future of Gorseinon Hospital and its services.
