HEALTH chiefs have apologised for “any alarm that has been caused” by the planned closure of 11 beds on a Bronglais Hospital ward.

They said the move was necessary because of refurbishment plans and was not due to a “critical staffing shortage”, despite a letter from the hospital’s head of nursing saying it is.

The Cambrian News reported last week that 11 beds were to close on Iorwerth Ward and CMU on 2 July, and in a letter to staff seen by the Cambrian News, Dawn Jones, Bronglais Hospital’s head of nursing, said that a “critical staffing shortage” was the “reason a decision has been taken to close” the beds.

However, Joe Teape, director of operations and deputy chief executive of Hywel Dda Health Board, said the letter that was issued to staff “did not fully explain the rationale for a temporary reduction in ward beds”.

“While it is true that there is a high vacancy rate on Iorwerth Ward we have managed this by backfilling with agency staff where necessary,” Mr Teape said.

“The primary reason for this project is to enable the refurbishment of the ward.”

He added: “Our ambition is that by the time the ward reopens for winter, our recruitment efforts will have improved and staff will find it a more attractive place to work.

“Since the refurbishments have been timed to take advantage of a period of the year when bed pressures are not as acute, then this could potentially become a rolling summer programme for Bronglais."

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