Health board confirms stroke unit closure

Emily Price 

A health board has confirmed the closure of a major acute stroke unit in south Wales amid “severe workforce challenges”.

Stroke service provision at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil will cease to operate from January 6 next year.

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB) will instead consolidate acute stroke services onto a single site at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital – over 20 miles away.

Due to roofing issues at the Princess of Wales Hospital, emergency stroke services were moved from Bridgend into the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant in the autumn.

Sustainable

In a briefing to Merthyr Tydfil MS Dawn Bowden, the health board said the move took place against a backdrop of workforce difficulties making it “extremely challenging” to provide a “resilient, safe, and sustainable service”.

The health board went on to say it had been faced with difficulties recruiting stroke consultants due to “long-term sickness” within the stroke workforce.

In the briefing, CTMUHB said: “This has contributed to unsustainable demand upon our remaining consultant workforce (employed and locum) that must be addressed if we are to continue providing a safe service to patients experiencing a stroke.

“We have worked closely with stroke and other clinical teams to explore opportunities for utilising the workforce in different ways to improve capacity, and are working with neighbouring health boards to explore cross-health board support.

“However, it is clear that we must make immediate, local changes to the way in which services are provided if we are to maintain a safe service that can continue to save lives and reduce the devastating effects of stroke for as many patients as possible.

“We have engaged with Llais on this issue under their emergency changes protocol and will be using the channels available to us to inform the public.”

Ms Bowden says she had written to the health board with further questions.

‘Worrying’

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health, James Evans, said the closure was “worrying” for his constituents in Brecon.

He said: “Powys Teaching Health Board relies on Prince Charles Hospital as the closest stroke centre for residents in south Powys.

“Relocating the service to Llantrisant would double the travel distance and journey time, leading to worse outcomes for patients and placing extra pressure on ambulance services.

“This is yet another example of health boards cutting vital local services while leaving inflated management structures untouched.”

An online petition calling for the acute stroke unit at Prince Charles to be saved has been launched and has so far gained more than 1,500 signatures.

The petitioner, Miss Edwards said: “The proposed shift of services to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital is not only an inconvenience to our team of over 40 personnel but it also escalates the danger to the very people we’re here to help – stroke victims.

“The closure will not only devastate patient care but the impact on families will also be unthinkable, adding to their distress of managing this life-altering condition.”

Diverted

Ambulances transporting patients suffering with a suspected stroke in the CTMUHB area will now be diverted to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

People showing signs of a stroke have been urged to present at the new service location.

Time critical treatment will still be administered for patients that present at Prince Charles Hospital and Princess of Wales Hospital prior to transfer to the stroke unit in Llantrisant.

A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: “Urgent changes are being made to stroke services run by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, to ensure patients can continue to access life-saving care and treatment.

“From week commencing 6 January, expert staff and services for those requiring emergency treatment and care for a stroke, will be based at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital (RGH) at Llantrisant.

“The move is being made as the health board manages a severe shortage of specialist medical staff with the training, skills and experience to safely care for patients experiencing a stroke.”

‘Urgent’

The spokesperson added: “We recognise that this necessary change will be concerning for some. However, we must make immediate, local changes to the way in which services are provided if we are to maintain a safe service that can continue to save lives and reduce the devastating effects of stroke for as many patients as possible.

“Without making these changes, it will not be possible for our staff to continue providing this vital service for patients.

“Having responded to the immediate challenge with this planned urgent change, we will continue to review the provision and sustainability of urgent stroke care for patients from within the CTM footprint and beyond, and continue to inform patients and other stakeholders.

“We want to remind people that should they or a loved one experience the symptoms of a stroke, they should always call for an ambulance in the first instance. If you do attend your local hospital, any of our emergency departments will be able to assess you and provide urgent medical treatment, if required, to stabilise your stroke.”