Health shake-up leads to loss of ward at County hospital in Griffithstown

As reported in the Free Press last month the hospital's Nicolas ward, which had 18 support beds, is closing as the first stage of a nine-month plan to bring County's overall bed numbers down from 87 to 57.

The reductions are part of the wider Gwent Frailty Programme plan to provide more comprehensive care for frail and elderly patients in the community in their homes or in care homes, rather than in hospitals.

The closure comes hard on the heels of the axing of all in-patient beds at Blaenavon Community Hospital which was attacked as short-sighted, with claims it could lead to a bed-blocking crisis.

Aneurin Bevan Health Board believes the model of care in some wards at County is inefficient and complex, and staff there and at acute hospitals such as the Royal Gwent and Nevill Hall must work more closely to identify suitable patients for transfer as a step toward their ultimate discharge home.

The second support beds ward at County, Capel Hanbury, will see its beds reduced from 21 to 17, the remainder becoming comprehensive assessment and care planning beds, with greater focus on preparing patients for that return home with relevant support.

The aim is for the above changes to be completed by the end of March. The next stage will see Usk ward, for orthopaedic rehabilitation patients, relocated into the vacant Nicolas ward.

Usk ward's 17 beds will reduce to 14 upon transfer, though a health board report acknowledges that improved efficiency must support the reduction, with the impact on transfers from the Royal Gwent and Nevill Hall closely monitored.

The final stage of reorganisation involves Cedar ward, an 11-bed stroke rehab ward, and the 20-bed Rowan medical rehab ward. The aim is for five beds to be closed in these wards, as the increase in community-based support for patients is established.

Health board bosses hope the changes to Usk, Cedar and Rowan wards can be completed by the end of September.