Three maternity beds could be replaced by six nursing care beds

Montgomeryshire Community Health Council is concerned about the move at Bro Ddyfi hospital in Machynlleth.

If the scheme goes ahead the nursing care beds would be for people living in Ceredigion and not for people living in the Machynlleth area.

Ceredigion council's social services department has to find spaces for patients for a nursing home in the county that is due to close this year.

We believe the health board should inform the people of Machynlleth why there will be no births at Machynlleth John Howard, Montgomeryshire CHC

It has asked Powys Local Health Board (PLHB) if it can provide six nursing care beds at the hospital for patients from Ceredigion, whose border lies five miles south of the town.

"We have contacted PLHB because they could have spare capacity at Machynlleth hospital," said David Harries, the council's head of adult services.

Erosion

"We have asked for six beds for nursing care and we would like this to be set up for several years."

The plans were confirmed in a letter sent to the community health council's chief officer, John Howard by Jackie Roberts, PLHBs director of nursing

She said: "We are unable to provide nursing home beds on the Machynlleth site for Powys patients at the present time, although due to the partnership arrangements we can offer this service to Ceredigion."

There are fears that Machynlleth patients could miss out

Mr Howard said: " The proposal is to change the maternity suite to provide nursing care beds that would provide some income for PLHB.

"We believe the health board should inform the people of Machynlleth why there will be no births at Machynlleth.

"If facilities such as the maternity unit get taken away then people will think it is a move to close the hospital by erosion.

"We know that is not true but that is what people's perception will be."

Because of the low birth rate in the Machynlleth area and a lack of midwives, earlier this year it was decided to carry out local deliveries at Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, 18 miles away.

Gordon Lewis, Bro Ddyfi hospital's manager confirmed that none of the three maternity beds at the hospital was being used.

Councillor Michael Williams wants full public consultation

Machynlleth county councillor Michael Williams said: "The public of Machynlleth have to be consulted about this idea.

"But even if the decision to provide nursing care at the hospital goes ahead it is vital that some of those beds should be provided for people from Machynlleth and the Dyfi Valley as well as patients from Ceredigion."

A PLHB spokesman said: "There are no firm plans to accommodate nursing home beds at Machynlleth Hospital.

"We have, however, been asked by Ceredigion Council to consider whether such a facility would be possible.

"In any event, a major change in service at Machynlleth Hospital would need to be the subject of a full public consultation.

"It is not necessarily true that the maternity unit would have to close down because there are not enough details on the table at present."