Uncertainty over services at two N.Wales hospitals branded 'unfair' on staff

HOSPITAL staff are being left "twisting in the wind" amid the uncertain future of two community hospitals which have seen "temporary" closures of inpatient beds.

- By DALE SPRIDGEON

The loss of services at Tywyn and Penley Community Hospitals had both sparked local concerns.

The Dyfi Ward at Tywyn, in Gwynedd, saw the "temporary" measures imposed more than two years ago due to a shortage of trained nursing staff.

The closure of inpatient beds in April 2023 followed repeated attempts to recruit and a "heavy reliance" on agency staff.

At Penley in Wrexham, the interim closures caused an outcry after coming just before Christmas, in December 2024.

A Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board [BCUHB] report said the closures were due to concerns over the "sustainability" of the care model, a very limited number of patients suitable for the type of care in the setting, and reliance on temporary staff.

The report recognised that staff "have and continue to face uncertainty" amid the ongoing service review. The report aimed to set out proposals for developing longer term solutions relating to Tywyn and Penley Hospitals.

The health board said further discussions and consultation would be carried out over this year, with final recommendations coming in December.