MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council has described the planned closure of Chepstow Community Hospital’s St Pierre ward as “significantly flawed” after endorsing a draft proposal to the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB).

Plans by ABUHB to restructure the existing format, which if approved would mean dementia patients in the county would have to travel to either St Woolos Hospital in Newport or Ysbyty Tri Chwm Hospital in Ebbw Vale were first raised last September, and a public consultation is open until this Friday (26th January).

The response to ABUHB’s consultation by MCC says while it: “absolutely supports the commitment of the health board to patient safety and quality of care,” and adds that it recognises the challenges facing the board, the response adds it: “cannot, however, support as a council the preferred option for the future of older adult mental health services as set out in the consultation document.

“We cannot see evidence in the preferred option within the consultation that this is the best outcome for our citizens,”

The response goes on to say: “Indeed we are concerned if implemented that it will have a detrimental impact on older adults with mental ill health, their carers and wider services in Monmouthshire.”

The response also highlights concerns surrounding the lack of consideration for demographics of older people in Monmouthshire. The response states the proportion of people aged over 65, 75 and 85 are higher in Monmouthshire than any other Gwent counties. In addition, the number of over 85s in the county are projected to rise by 185 per cent by 2039.

“Our view as a council is that this means the option appraisal is significantly flawed in considering how best to meet current and future needs,” it says.

“It is unclear from the consultation where people from Monmouth and central Monmouthshire will access services,” it adds. “Without evidence of proper consideration of accessibility issues, we again consider the option appraisal to be flawed and the conclusions cannot be supported.”

The plans have faced widespread concern, with a senior mental health consultant highlighting issues with ease of access and a lack of public transport, while Monmouth MP David Davies said the closure should be delayed until the completion of Gwent’s new £350m ‘super-hospital’ in 2021.

The issue was also raised by Monmouth Assembly Member Nick Ramsay, who raised the issue in a question to the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones last week.

“There is deep concern in and around Chepstow at the planned closure of the purpose-built dementia ward at Chepstow Hospital and the relocation of services to St Woolos hospital in Newport,” said Mr Ramsay.

“If this goes ahead it will represent the loss of Monmouthshire’s entire inpatient dementia provision, and a combined reduction in Newport and Monmouthshire from 29 to 14 beds,” Mr Ramsay added, urging the First Minister to “find a more sustainable solution to the problem the health board is currently facing.”

Carwyn Jones said: “I am aware of the changes that have been made, I’m also aware the health board has undertaken a 12-week public consultation which is still open, and I’d encourage all views to be fed into that consultation.

“I’m also aware that the health board has discussed options for the future development of Chepstow Community Hospital and has established a working group to develop proposals for the future of the excellent local facilities and I further understand that the health board is expecting an initial report to be presented in the spring.”