HYWEL Dda officials admit the health board needs to address problems with Aberaeron Hospital after the facility was assessed as being­ “not fit for purpose”.

The board has warned that there is an “urgent need” to relocate some staff members because of health and safety concerns and said that proposals are already being drawn up for alternative office acc­ommodation for staff.

Despite the concerns over the infra­structure at the site, the health board has insisted that clinical services in the town are secure as they are vital for the successful running of community services.

There had been long-standing plans from the health board to build a new health facility at Aberaeron in a similar proposal to that for Cardigan, but those plans have not moved forward and seemed to have been abandoned by the health board.

However, a report that went bef­ore a full meeting of the health board insists there is a desperate need for a better facility.

It says: “An estates appraisal rep­ort on Aberaeron Hospital has concluded that the current facility is not fit for purpose and not conducive to the provision of modern-day healthcare provision.

“There is an urgent need to relocate the staff based on the upper floor of the building due to concerns regarding health and safety."

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