BRONGLAIS Hospital’s former Afallon Ward is to be reopened with a new name to provide step-down care beds for patients who do not need to be in hospital.

The ward, which was shut in 2012, has not been used for patient care since it was decided to close it and instead provide inpatient care at Carmarthen’s Glangwili Hospital. It was instead being used as an office.

However, health chiefs have said they expect the ward to reopen under the new name Y Banwy at the end of January with patients being admitted in February.

A spokesperson for the health board said: “The former Afallon Ward will be renamed Y Banwy and provide care for patients who are medically fit, but who will need support on discharge.

“The completion date for the works to bring Y Banwy into use is the end of January, with patients being admitted from early February.”

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops now or online by clicking the Digital Editions tab at the top of the page