MENTAL health inpatient beds could be reintroduced to Ceredigion as part of a shake-up.

The county has had no dedicated mental health beds for more than three years after the controversial closure of Afallon Ward at Bronglais Hospital in July 2012 and the centralisation of inpatient services at Carmarthen.

However, a plan into the future of mental health services has outlined a proposal that would see inpatient beds reintroduced in Ceredigion and beds also available in Pembrokeshire.

The health board has come under increasing pressure at public events over mental health services in Ceredigion.

Health chiefs have been accused of forcing patients to travel long distances for inpatient care and of failing to provide adequate community services.

The report, called Transforming Mental Health Services, highlights the health board’s proposal to provide inpatient beds in all three counties, but says that it wants to provide more services in the community with inpatient care only being used when necessary.

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