FEARS over the future of a Swansea hospital ward are running high — just six months after health bosses shelled out £500,000 on a revamp.

Concerns exist that the doors of a 32-bed ward at Gorseinon Hospital could be shut for good, despite the major investment.

The move comes following the release of figures which show the health board was nearly £5 million overspent by May — just a month into the new financial year.

Health bosses have revealed they are looking to reduce 12 beds at the hospital site during the summer months.

But an Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board spokeswoman said investment was being ploughed into the area of unscheduled and emergency care at the same time, to ensure the reduction in bed numbers did not disrupt patient care.

Health board chiefs are also looking to bring into force other changes in terms of health services across the Swansea area.

Councillor Beverley Howard, of Gorseinon Town Council, said she understood the ward would be shut in its entirety.

She said: "There is a body of thought that a ward is closing at the end of the month at Gorseinon Hospital.

"If true, the closing of this ward will be a major blow to the area. This ward was newly refurbished and reopened in January.

She added: "The speed in deciding to close the ward is unacceptable.

"I have been unable to obtain a reply from the trust to confirm the closure of the ward, but am deeply disturbed at the prospect of a ward closure, especially in light of the closure of Fairwood Hospital."

Ms Howard said she believed it was vital the health board carried out a full consultation if a ward closure was to be considered.

"The trust should look at consulting with town councils where available, and the voluntary sector, to work together for the benefit of all," she added.

An ABM University Health Board spokeswoman confirmed 12 beds would go. She said: "Gorseinon Hospital has a very important role to play in delivering healthcare in Swansea, and ABM is committed to making full use of both wards at Gorseinon Hospital as part of its future strategy.

"However, there is generally less pressure on hospital beds in the summer months, so we have a certain degree of flexibility in the system to allow us to use resources as efficiently and effectively as possible.

"In the short term, we are making changes to bed capacity at Gorseinon, while we implement a number of other changes within the Swansea area to ensure that services are safe and sustainable.

"This is being done as we make significant investment and improvements in unscheduled and emergency care in Swansea, which should ensure that this reduction in beds does not disrupt patient care."

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk