James Evans MS is concerned about what changes at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny will mean for residents of Brecon and Radnorshire seeking healthcare this winter.

Changes set to take place next month, as reported by the Abergavenny Chronicle, include the closure or reconfiguring of wards, the biggest being to Llanellen Ward (4/4) which currently treats respiratory patients – this is set to move to the Grange University hospital, leaving no facility at Nevill Hall.

Concerns have already been raised that the changes will put immense pressure on the Grange, which has already come under fire for long waiting times and bed shortages since it opened.

A member of staff with more than 30 years of experience says the upcoming changes are causing concern among staff and potentially impacting patient care. 

Aneurin Bevan Health University Board (ABUHB) said they expect the impact on patients to be “minimal”.

15 beds overall will be lost at Nevill Hall, according the the health board.

But Mr Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, has questioned the timing of this announcement and how it will affect residents across Mid Wales needing vital care as we head into the harshest winter months.

“I am very concerned to hear the recent announcement about the significant reduction in capacity at Nevill Hall Hospital and what it will mean to my constituents who need hospital treatment during the winter,” he said.

“This, coupled with the reduction of hours at the Minor Injury Units in Brecon and Llandrindod War Memorial hospitals, is yet again a bitter blow to people living across Mid Wales.

“To put more pressure on an already struggling Grange hospital is a staggering decision. I fear for the frontline staff in the NHS this Winter and how decisions like these, which will remove at minimum 15 beds, will impact the people of Brecon and Radnorshire.”

A spokesman for ABUHB told the Abergavenny Chronicle: ”In our ongoing work to review our services and ensure that we are providing the best possible care, we have identified some opportunities to implement changes at Nevill Hall Hospital that we believe will improve services and outcomes for patients.  As part of this, we have taken the opportunity to reconfigure our medical staff to further support our Respiratory team at The Grange University Hospital.

“Although the respiratory team will vacate Ward 4/4, this ward will be reconfigured and remain open to ensure that the sleep service and labs continue to be operational to support our patients, and Ward 4/3 will close. 

“Overall, this will take us back to expected bed numbers for Nevill Hall Hospital and means that the staff we have can care more appropriately for patients.

“We are planning for these changes to take place from mid-November so that our services can help to ease winter pressures and offer the best possible care for patients across the health board area.”