AM to hold talks over ward closure

8:10am Friday 5th September 2008

THE future of jobs at Llandough Hospital will be discussed with NHS chiefs next month, following a clear-out of patients from one of the wards.

The hospital’s Ward East 4 is to be turned into a spare area to be used when other wards are being refurbished - and many nurses fear there could be job cuts as a result.

Hospital Director of Operations Jonathon Davies believes the move will help improve the hospital while a single sex ward for breast care patients is built.

But many staff at the hospital are less enthusiastic.

Speaking to the Penarth Times last month, one nurse, who did not wished to be named, said: "I don’t understand it. It is a busy hospital and we don’t have the space for a spare ward.

"If they want to make it single sex why don’t they just do that, rather than clean it all out.

"Although they have said that we won’t lose our jobs, I think some of us will be asked to move to jobs outside of the hospital – it’s ongoing."

Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks will quiz health chiefs on the claims at a meeting next month.

The Assembly Member for South Wales Central will meet with representatives from Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, alongside Local Health Boards from the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff.

Mr Franks said: “I will question health chiefs about these claims of potential job losses.

“Our NHS staff do an excellent job sometimes under very stressful and difficult surroundings. I am very keen to support frontline Welsh NHS staff in their work.

“We have heard rumours about the closure of this ward, however it is a shame that the health trust wasn’t upfront from the start until forced to go public after complaints.”

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