Dismay at hospice island bed closures

THE impending closure of the St David’s Hospice ward in Holyhead, Anglesey, has provoked a wave of dismay and frustration among readers of the Daily Post's website North Wales Live, with many voicing their discontent over the decision and the broader issue of hospice funding in the region.

- By DAVID PRINCE

St David’s Hospice has made public its intention to shut down its beds on Anglesey and is considering reducing its workforce.

The charity had broadened its reach in 2021 by inaugurating a satellite facility at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley in Holyhead on March 1.

A grant of £450,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund was secured to underwrite staffing costs at the new unit for three years.

However, it has now been disclosed that the beds will be decommissioned this October for a minimum of 12 months, pending a future review.

Consequently, some employees face uncertainty as a consultation process regarding their positions has commenced. St David's Hospice, which operates a 12-bed site in Llandudno and provides day therapy in Bangor, has not specified the number of staff members who might be impacted.