Community model to go ahead in north Ceredigion
26 September 2024
Hywel Dda University Health Board has today (Thursday 26 September 2024) approved a proposal for a community healthcare model in north Ceredigion, following a public engagement exercise.
This involves replacing all (nine) inpatient beds in Tregaron Community Hospital, with additional healthcare and support in or close to people’s homes in the north of the county.
The proposal for a new model of care, which is part of the broader Cylch Caron project and in line with the Health Board’s long-term vision for a healthier mid and west Wales, will see the move of inpatient care from the hospital to people’s own homes. Enabled through a different model of support, this will see staff working in different ways, focused on keeping people well at home, and with more staff available to help people in the community.
The Health Board’s aim is to provide a safer, more sustainable service across Ceredigion, while improving patient care and delivery. It will enhance community-based support and help avoid people being in hospital beds and at risk of deteriorating when they are medically fit to be in their home environment. It will also enhance the palliative care nursing support service currently offered across Ceredigion
As part of the Cylch Caron project, an integrated resource centre will be developed in partnership between Ceredigion County Council, the Health Board and the Welsh Government, bringing together a range of care, health and housing services for the future in a central hub for Tregaron and its surrounding rural areas.
The community healthcare model, which is based on clinical advice and already operates successfully in south Ceredigion, provides high quality patient care and support through working better together across our healthcare and support services.
It will enable a more skilled, increased and enhanced community nursing service, working alongside other healthcare professionals, GPs, the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, the local authority, statutory and voluntary partners.
Peter Skitt, the Health Board’s County Director for Ceredigion said: “We have listened to people’s stories and acknowledge the understandable and shared attachment to Tregaron Community Hospital.
"We want to do the right thing for our patients and our staff who care for them, and this isn’t always by the traditional model of providing care in a hospital bed.
“Patients have told us that they would prefer to be cared for at home where this is appropriate and, by providing care in this way, we can support up to 40 people to maintain their independence, health and well-being for as long as possible, compared to nine inpatients in hospital beds.
“Tregaron Hospital has been a part of our local community for a number of years. While we develop the broader Cylch Caron vision, the hospital will continue to provide a base for our community staff and a facility for outpatient services.”
Whilst concern for provision of inpatient care was raised during the public engagement period, the health board reassures people that this would more appropriately be provided from acute hospitals or care in the community depending on the acuity of a patient's illness.
By adopting this approach now, the health board can strengthen its resilience ahead of the winter months when services and staff face significant pressures, avoiding a situation of being forced to close beds without notice.
Further inpatient admissions to Tregaron Community Hospital will cease with immediate effect. Current inpatients will follow the normal discharge pathway, enabling a phased reduction in beds and preventing patients from being transferred to other hospital sites. They will be supported through the community healthcare model.
This model of care has already been achieved in south Ceredigion and the Health Board will now extend this to communities in the north of the county ensuring a safer, more sustainable and equitable service across Ceredigion.
ENDS