Bronglais Hospital ward closes due to staff shortage

Hywel Dda Health Board said a small number of patients were moved to other wards

Health officials insist patient care was not affected when a Ceredigion hospital ward was closed for two weekends in August due to staff shortages.

Rhiannon Ward at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth was closed by Hywel Dda Health Board on 18-19 and 25-26 August.

The board said a small number of patients were moved to other wards.

A ward treating mental health patients closed at Bronglais in July because of staffing issues.

The health board said at the time that the future of Afallon Ward was under continuous review, but it was unclear if it was shutting permanently or temporarily.

Some patients were moved to West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen, while some received community care.

With respect to the latest ward closure, a health board spokeswoman said: "Rhiannon Ward continued to be affected over the bank holiday weekend by a temporary staff shortage.

"As is normal operational practice, a small number of patients and staff were transferred to other wards.

"Patient care was not affected."