Massive cuts to Cardiff hospital beds could be clinical disaster - Randerson

9.18.50am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 12th Jun 2008

Jenny Randerson wants to see the best use made of the CRI site

Commenting on the breaking news that Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust is planning to close hundreds of acute beds, including the removal of the CRI West Wing, Welsh Lib Dem Health Spokesperson and Cardiff Central AM, Jenny Randerson AM has warned that the plans could be disastrous for healthcare in the capital and the region as a whole.

The plans could see over 400 patients supported in the community and residential homes, despite there being an acute lack of such spaces. The Trust appear to be planning to lose around 130 spaces by dealing with bed blocking, despite the fact that the problems with bed blocking are yet to be effectively dealt with.

Under the plans, the West wing of the CRI would be closed and replaced with a new facility in north Cardiff. This is despite the fact that the Health Minister is about to undertake a review of the health needs of Central and Eastern Cardiff which will have a direct impact on decisions for the CRI site.

Jenny Randerson said: "I was absolutely shocked when I heard this news. While the West wing of the CRI is not fit for purpose, its replacement should be on the same sight because of its key city centre location and excellent transport links. How can such a decision be made without waiting for the Minister's review, which is due to be headed by a clinician.

"They are claiming that they can cut these beds by putting patients in the community. This will not work until the community element has been built up first. There is currently no evidence that this is happening, nor is there evidence of any clear movements to do so.

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