Health board urged to publish delayed report into future of Llŷn Peninsula nursing beds

Campaigners fighting to safeguard nursing beds on the Llŷn Peninsula say patients and their families are growing increasingly despondent at the lack of communication from the local health board.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board announced in July that a proposal on the future provision of nursing care in the area would be presented by the 14th of September.

It followed the announcement in July that charity owners of the private Penrhos Polish Home, which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary, are planning for a “phased closure” of its nursing and care facilities by March 2021.

Despite the health board’s pledge that it would not turn its back on the community, no proposal has yet been published.

Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd Liz Saville Roberts and health campaigner Cllr Mabon ap Gwynfor have voiced their disappointment at the delay, warning that workforce and family confidence is quickly ebbing away.

They have been campaigning alongside local Cllr Angela Russell to maintain nursing bed provision in the area.

Liz Saville Roberts MP said: “I was assured by BCUHB in July that a clear timeline outlining the future of Penrhos Polish Home would be ready for presentation by early September.

“Yet here we are approaching October and those assurances are not forthcoming.’

“I said at the time, that given the level of anxiety amongst staff, patients and their families following the initial closure announcement, it was imperative that discussions progressed at a pace so as to maintain public confidence in the process.

“Sadly, I am now informed that some families are in the process of relocating their loved ones from Penrhos, whilst prolonged uncertainty at what the future holds means some staff members are also seeking alternative employment.’

“The health board has a duty to be open and transparent with the public about what the future holds for Penrhos in terms of facilities, staffing and funding.

“I fear that a failure to act now could in itself result in the premature closure of the site.’

“I strongly urge the health board to bring forward their delayed report as a matter of urgency or risk being complicit in the closure of the Polish home and loss of nursing beds in Llŷn by failing to act in time.”

The health board said it had been forced to adopt a revised timetable because of the detailed nature of the new proposals.

Dr Chris Stockport, Executive Director of Primary and Community Care, said the board was committed to developing”fit for purpose community services and nursing beds local to the Llŷn”.

He stressed it was working “incredibly hard” on a joint proposal with Gwynedd Council and Clwyd Alyn Housing for future provision in the area.

He said: “A project board, consisting of all partners has been established to identify future needs and we are absolutely committed to engaging closely with residents, families and local stakeholders to ensure that any future care is sustainable, appropriate to the local area and delivered by a local workforce.

“In order to carry out this detailed, meaningful engagement and allow key partners to scrutinise any new proposals, it has become necessary to develop a revised timeline.

“The project board will be meeting again this week and will be working on progressing with this important work.

“In the meantime, we are continuing to work closely with Gwynedd Council, Clwyd Alyn Housing and the Welsh Government to identify suitable and safe options which meet the clinical needs of the affected residents in the Penrhos Polish Home.”

But Cllr. Mabon ap Gwynfor said campaigners had repeatedly called for the health board and Welsh Government to share information.

He said: “We really shouldn’t expect the elderly and vulnerable to have to consider moving away from their families and local communities because of a lack of sufficient provision.

“The local health board has the ability to step in and ensure that provision is not only maintained at Penrhos, but that we see genuine improvements to it.

“The guiding principle here must be patient care, and the need to keep loved-ones physically close to their families.’

“Any further delay in bringing forward future proposals for Penrhos will only add to the uncertainty already felt by patients and staff.”