THE vice-chairwoman of a city health watchdog who made claims about an 'epidemic' of bed sores has been suspended for a further three months.

Alison Morgan said she had expected her suspension to be lifted on February 2.

But instead, Mrs Morgan, who was the vice-chairwoman of the Swansea local committee of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Community Health Council (CHC), was sent a letter saying her suspension was being extended.

CHC bosses said the step was taken to allow Health Minister Lesley Griffiths time to reach a final decision on the case.

She is understood to have been suspended due to comments made at the organisation's meetings.

Mrs Morgan claimed the case had been resolved last autumn by the Minister and she was surprised at the letter.

But a Welsh Government spokesman said the issue rested with the Board of Community Health Councils and it was up to them to provide the Minister with further material which would allow her to make an informed decision.

Mrs Morgan said: "I had a letter saying that my suspension is going to end on February 2, as the Minister has not reached a final decision.

"I thought the Minister had sorted out my case last October, as she had been advised by her legal advisors there was no need for me to be suspended."

At a meeting last March of the body, Mrs Morgan said: "Elderly people who are having treatment in local hospitals have lost weight and have pressure sores — I have heard it's an epidemic."

The claim was strongly denied at the time by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.

Mrs Morgan had been due to take over as chairwoman of the Swansea branch for six months from the current chairman and Clydach councillor Roger Smith.

In the letter, which was sent by Carol Lamyman-Davies, director of the Board of Community Health Councils in Wales, said: "As the Minister has not yet reached a final decision regarding the matter of your suspension, there being some issues which require clarification, it is not appropriate for you to return to your membership duties at this stage.

"The Board Standards of Governance Committee has therefore agreed that the term of the suspension should be extended.

"A further extension of three months to May 2, 2012, has been approved at this stage, when the position will be reviewed again.

"An earlier review will be undertaken in the event that the Minister reaches a final decision before then."

A Welsh Government spokesman added: "Mrs Morgan was suspended from Swansea locality Community Health Council by the Board of Community Health Councils and the Minister for Health was not involved in that decision.

"The matter now rests with the Board of Community Health Councils and it is for them to provide the Minister with any further material that would allow her to make an informed decision."

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk