Hywel Dda University Health Board has approved a proposal for a community healthcare model in north Ceredigion which will see all inpatient hospital beds at a community hospital removed.

Following a public consultation, the changes involve replacing all nine inpatient beds in Tregaron Community Hospital, with additional healthcare and support in or close to people’s homes in the north of the county, the health board has said.

The proposal is part of the broader Cylch Caron project and will see the move of inpatient care from the hospital to people’s own homes.

The aim is to provide a safer, more sustainable service across Ceredigion, while improving patient care and delivery, Hywel Dda has said.

As part of the Cylch Caron project, an integrated resource centre will be developed in partnership between Ceredigion County Council, the Health Board and Welsh Government, following a similar model in the south of the county. 

Peter Skitt, the Hywel Dda’s county director for Ceredigion said yesterday, September 26: “We have listened to people’s stories and acknowledge the understandable and shared attachment to Tregaron Community Hospital.

"We want to do the right thing for our patients and our staff who care for them, and this isn’t always by the traditional model of providing care in a hospital bed.

“Patients have told us that they would prefer to be cared for at home where this is appropriate and, by providing care in this way, we can support up to 40 people to maintain their independence, health and well-being for as long as possible, compared to nine inpatients in hospital beds.

“Tregaron Hospital has been a part of our local community for a number of years. While we develop the broader Cylch Caron vision, the hospital will continue to provide a base for our community staff and a facility for outpatient services.”

While concern for provision of inpatient care was raised during the public engagement period, the health board has said that this would more appropriately be provided from acute hospitals or care in the community depending on the acuity of a patient's illness.

By adopting this approach now, the health board says it can strengthen its resilience ahead of the winter months when services and staff face significant pressures, avoiding a situation of being forced to close beds without notice.

Further inpatient admissions to Tregaron Community Hospital will cease with immediate effect. Current inpatients will follow the normal discharge pathway, enabling a phased reduction in beds and preventing patients from being transferred to other hospital sites. They will be supported through the community healthcare model.