Health board addresses concern over palliative care unit

A HEALTH board has responded to concerns that a palliative care unit at a local hospital will close after 3,000 people signed a petition to save it.

- ELLIE GOSLEY

Local residents are concerned about the “essential service” being removed from Ysbyty Cwm Cynon in Mountain Ash and fear those 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.

The health board said the ward, which was previously consultant-led, has not operated as a specialist palliative care unit since January 2024.

This change was formally recognised last week when the ward, which has eight beds, was designated as providing end-of-life and general healthcare.