Threatened A&E unit recruits two consultants
TWO new consultants have been recruited to work at the under-threat A&E department at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
The appointments, both on a full-time basis, have been welcomed by local politicians and campaign groups who want to retain 24/7 emergency services at the Llantrisant site.
The future of the Royal Glamorgan’s A&E department has been hanging in the balance since January after plans were unveiled to completely or partially close it.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said it could not continue to operate the emergency unit safely 24 hours a day due to a severe shortage of doctors.
Proposals include reducing the number of hours the department operates, for example from 8am until 8pm, or turning it into a permanent minor injuries unit.
But there has been fierce public opposition to the plans, with many claiming that any form of downgrade would have a hugely detrimental impact on surrounding communities.
A demonstration involving hundreds of people, which received cross-party support, took place on the steps of the Senedd on Wednesday,
February 12.
Following the outbreak of Covid-19 across Wales the health board announced in March that there was a need to “pause and consolidate” the plans so attention could be given to treating patients with the virus.
But it has been revealed this week that two consultants have been appointed to work in the emergency unit.
One has been employed full-time, while another has been drafted from another hospital in the health board on a permanent basis.
Latest board papers from the health board state: “The appointment of a full-time consultant as clinical lead for the emergency department in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in March 2020 has led to a significant improvement in medical rostering and shift-fill in the department, with a decreased reliance on single-shift agency doctors.
“There has also been a strengthening of the department’s multidisciplinary leadership team.
“There has been modest success in the recruitment of consultant medical staff to the department with further interviews currently planned.
“There has also been some early success in developing substantive roles for existing locum staff, encouraging their longer-term employment in the department and providing support and supervision to allow qualification as a consultant.
“This early progress, coupled with increased support from the emergency department at Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, has begun to address some of the safety concerns in the department.”
The health board confirmed that it would resume plans for the future of the department later this month.
It said a “firm recommendation on future service development” will be brought to the board in June.
Reacting to the news, Mick Antoniw MS and Alex Davies-Jones MP said: “We warmly welcome the news that two A&E consultants have been appointed to the Royal Glamorgan’s A&E.
“It is encouraging that even in the midst of the current Covid-19 crisis that Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board have continued to progress recruitment.
“This is a very positive development but we do urge caution.
“The fight to retain a full 24-hour A&E at our local hospital is not over.”