End-of-life care will still be provided in valleys – health board

A HEALTH board has responded to concerns that a palliative care unit at a local hospital will close as more than 4,000 people have signed a petition calling for it to be saved.

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Residents are concerned about the “essential service” being removed from Ysbyty Cwm Cynon in Mountain Ash and fear those living in the Cynon and Merthyr valleys could be forced to travel further if their loved ones need end-of-life care.

‘The health board confirmed specialist palliative care has been formally paused at the unit due to “significant medical staffing challenges” on Ward Six at the Rhondda Cynon Taf hospital.

However, a spokesman for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said the ward will continue to provide end-of-life care and clarified the situation with the ward has not changed in almost two years.