A pilot scheme to have closer working between dementia care and general medicine in Bronglais Hospital could help discharge patients from hospital quicker and “spread expertise” across wards, it has been claimed.

The trial that will involve the step-up, step-down Y Banwy ward and Enlli ward has led to some concerns being raised by staff at the hospital, but Ceredigion county director Peter Skitt said it was hoped that it could help ensure that patients with dementia received better services while also helping cut delays in patient discharges.

Mr Skitt said that if the scheme proved to be a success it could lead to Y Banwy becoming unnecessary and free up space for further developments.

But he admitted that it would depend on how the pilot scheme worked.

He said: “We do not know yet exactly how many bed days this may release, but we are confident we can repurpose the Y Banwy area by closing some beds, or moving some to other areas of the hospital depending on the level of reductions in stay the new shared care model achieves.”

Speaking to the Hywel Dda CHC’s Ceredigion committee, Mr Skitt said it would see better care for dementia patients on general medical wards, something which he said had not always been prioritised previously.

Part of the proposal would see an additional four beds moved into Enlli ward, taking it up to 11 beds, but that if the pilot was successful it could lead to the closure of as many as 12 to 14 beds.

He said: “If this works there will be a number of beds we’ll be able to close as we won’t be using them any more.”

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