HEALTH chiefs have revealed they are leasing some beds on its hospital wards instead of buying them.

Financial managers at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board made the disclosure during a special meeting at its Baglan headquarters to approve the mid-year accounts.

Director of finance Eifion Williams said PFI (private finance initiative) schemes along with leases would all feature on the balance sheet, following a move across to a different accounting practice.

At the meeting Mr Williams said: "There are very big changes to the accounts — we have had to do a lot of work. The beds on some of our balance sheets are leased rather than bought and they have to go on the balance sheet. Any untaken leave that has not been taken by staff also has to come on the balance sheet."

But Mr Williams made clear that unlike other health boards, it would not look to enforce people to take all their leave before the start of the new financial year in April, and that it would be carried across.

Meanwhile, it also emerged at the meeting around £264 million was spent out on directors and staff pay, within the timescale, at the former Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust.

The trust merged with the three LHBs in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend, on October 1, to form ABM University Health Board.

Mr Williams said the new board was not under pressure to achieve a break- even position from the Assembly by September ahead of the merger.

The impact of the new system on the way in which accounts were now recorded, suggested the former NHS trust had a £12.8 million surplus during 2008/09.

Mr Williams added: "It was quite a shock. The financial position remains a key risk. Major efforts are continuing to reduce the deficit."

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk