Services set to be moved as hospital deteriorates
KEY services could be transferred out of a “deteriorating” hospital in Cardiff under NHS plans.
Cardiff and Vale University Hospital Board is proposing to transfer day hospital services, including elderly care assessments, out of Rookwood Hospital.
NHS chiefs want to transfer the services for patients aged 65, potentially with dementia, over to Llandough’s Day Hospital “before winter,” according to a health board report.
There are concerns about patient and staff safety at Rookwood Hospital, where there are issues with providing hot water and heating, and the building is deteriorating, a report says.
“The current environment of care is not fit for purpose as there are several issues with providing hot water and heating, compounded by the deteriorating general fabric of the building,” a service change proposal says.
“Whilst we have been able to keep services going over the last few years, we now feel that the further deterioration in the fabric of the environment, coupled with a viable alternative option, means that we need to relocate the services as a matter of urgency.”
The current day hospital provides specialist services including continence, falls programs, Parkinson’s, cardiac failure and bone health.
Llandough’s Day Hospital has “excellent facilities” with access to radiology and other services and would be able to accommodate the additional patients, the health board says.
If the services are transferred to Llandough’s Day Hospital they would be reviewed after six months to assess whether it should become the permanent base for the services.
The health board has also put forward plans to transfer 19 inpatient beds for elderly people, some with dementia, from Ward C7 North at University Hospital Wales to the Landsdowne Ward at St David’s Hospital in Canton.
A health board report says Ward C7 North needs a refurbishment and has no day room facility.
It is proposed to move the ward to St David’s in January where there is a “calmer, less clinical environment of care” and has more facilities such as a day room and a quiet room.
The beds at UHW would either be used by another clinical board or used as a decant or winter ward.
Both plans will be discussed by Cardiff and Vale Community Health Council this week.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has been contacted for comment.