AM speaks out over hospital staff's concerns
MAJOR concerns have been raised over the future of Neath Port Talbot Hospital in the wake of staff claims that the site is being run down.
Alun Cairns, Tory AM for South Wales West, has spoken out amid fears that jobs could potentially go at the £66 million health complex, only seven years after it opened. But health chiefs remain adamant the hospital has a key role to play in the future.
The doors of the hospital's elderly rehabilitation ward have already shut for good and there have been issues raised over the children's centre and the local accident centre.
It has sparked claims among staff that the site is deliberately being run down, a claim dismissed by health bosses.
A hospital worker has previously claimed that the hospital was systematically being dismantled with services being quietly withdrawn without any publicity.
"There is no out of hours surgical cover," the worker said.
"Surgeons have been asked to reduce the number of operations they carry out despite the fact that the theatres here are superb."
Mr Cairns said the service cuts at the Baglan site should be seen in the context of what was happening right across Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board in the wake of its £30 million budget overspend.
He said: "We have seen services transferred between hospitals because of staffing shortages and lots of unfilled doctor posts at all grades. To hear staff in Baglan fear for the future of this hospital, which was opened just seven years ago, is extremely worrying. The board is under extreme financial pressure and the recent reorganisation, which was carried out in October, produced no additional revenue from the Welsh Assembly Government."
An Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board spokeswoman said: "Neath Port Talbot hospital has a key role to play in delivering our local health services.
"Our new health board is developing a comprehensive clinical strategy for all our acute hospital services and Neath Port Talbot Hospital will be fully included in these plans. The range of care and treatments provided for local people haven't changed and acute medical services and surgery are available for patients."
Related articles:
6 Comments
by Wayne, Neath
Thursday, December 03 2009, 7:24PM
“Don't knock a Tory for speaking out to help Neath & Port Talbot Hospital, we are not hearing to much from Labour and Plaid our MP's and Am's are very quiet about the issues at Neath & Port Talbot Hospital. Why have they said nothing about the lunacy of shutting down the 15 to 18 bed Pre Discharge Ward two weeks ago, when we are supposed to be having a flu pandemic this winter. Come on all local AM's and MP's start some shouting to save your and our hospital.
And yes I do remember the bad Tory years for the NHS and work in this area. So come on Labour show us you care and thank us for voting and staying loyal to you.”
by Melanie, Swansea
Monday, November 23 2009, 8:01PM
“It seems to me that the Evening Post is so keen to write critical stories about the local NHS that it does not check the facts. Alun Cairns is not a minister or even a shadow minister. He has not set foot in the hospital or contacted any members of staff to hear their concerns. This kind of journalism serves no purpose.”
by Adrian, Morriston
Monday, November 23 2009, 7:27PM
“In July of this year, I found myself being treated in Baglan Hospital A&E unit for a broken foot. I am extremely greatful to the kind, caring and very efficient staff who are constantly ground down and unappreciated by ministers and management alike.
It would be a crime to see this excellent hospital run down by the ill witted bureaucratics in Cardiff as it provides a very neccessary service to those with the vote.
Ironically, I was involved in the construction of this fine hospital, and the injury I received was while working on the new health centre just down the road....
This hospital needs support and investment, not neglect and mismanagement.”
by Mike, Swansea Valley
Monday, November 23 2009, 7:24PM
“Errr .... since when did Alun Cairns become health minister? I hope that the story is more credible than the headline - although I doubt it.”
by Paul Lloyd, Winch Wen
Monday, November 23 2009, 6:13PM
“Alan Cairns has a cheek! A Tory complaining about the NHS! The very party that did its best to smash the NHS. He also should remember that PFI was a Tory idea, now coming back to bite him!”
by Linda Ware, Neath
Monday, November 23 2009, 5:30PM
“I spoke to a worker from this hospital last week who informed me that 5 wards have been closed. This is a PFI
(Private Funded Initiative)building and it was noted in Private Eye only a few weeks ago (issue 1247) that the country has 1.2 billion costs yearly to shoulder for these PFI's of which this hospital is one. It is a strange fact that while so many health trusts are in trouble financially only one of the 130 non-PFI acute hospital trusts has a deficit. We have no need to ask where the money is going. PFI's get their money before doctors and nurses can be paid and desperately needed hospital wards funded. Where do we go from here ?”