CUT to Conwy stroke services have sparked calls for a state-of-the-art Llandudno Hospital stroke unit.
It was revealed at a meeting at Canolfan Fron in Old Colwyn last week that services for stroke patients in Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd are running at a £70,000 loss. Communication Support Services, which help stroke patients whose speech has been severely affected, may cease because of the deficit which is estimated to reach £110,000 in full year terms.
The Stroke Association plan to axe communication support facilities for 18 stroke sufferers in Conwy. The cut backs will result in job losses for 11 volunteers and one paid member of staff from the Conwy service.
The service currently operates from the Fron Community Centre in Old Colwyn. Facilities at H M Stanley in St Asaph will also be axed. Gareth Jones, AM for Aberconwy, said: “It's clear from that this Communication Support service for patients recovering from a stroke is highly effective and valued by patients.
"It's therefore extremely disappointing that the Stroke Association feels it cannot sustain the service any longer following their strategic review. It's a very sad sign of the times that jobs are being lost and that charities like this are struggling to make ends meet to carry out their valuable work.”
In Conwy and Denbighshire, the services rely entirely on funding from the Betsi Cadwaladr health board. Mr Jones said: "I expect that the final go-ahead will soon be given for a brand new state of the art stroke rehabilitation unit to be developed in Llandudno Hospital to replace the outdated facilities in HM Stanley St Asaph. With acute stroke medicine to be delivered in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, the overall service for local stroke patients should be vastly improved.”
Stroke services are currently on offer at Llandudno. But plans, which were released last year, have identified the need for a post acute specialist rehabilitation centre for stroke, other neurological, orthopaedic and cardiac patients, with rehab of the elderly medically frail.
Carol Marubbi of the Llandudno Hospital Action Group said taking away vital services from Conwy patients is “shocking” and “absurd.” She said: “I have seen no money spent at Llandudno Hospital yet and we have been promised £40 million including facilities for stroke patients. In Llandudno we have alot of elderly people and they need stroke facilities. The hospital action group is opposed to any downgrading of health services.”
Paul Underwood, deputy director of the Stroke Association, said that his group has been in constant discussion with the health board to try to find a way to keep all services going. He said it has been agreed to extend the decision until November 30 to allow for a full consultation period.
A spokesperson from the Betsi Cadwaladr health board said that it would be “extremely difficult” to provide any additional funds beyond the current £200,000 which goes to the service each year, but said this level of funding will be maintained.