 The consultants claim 23 beds have been lost at Withybush |
Nearly every consultant at a west Wales hospital has put their name to a letter criticising bed losses. The 23 senior doctors claimed beds had been cut at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, leading to increased pressure on services.
Their letter to a local newspaper follows the suspension of Dr Chris Overton for criticising management.
But the health trust chief executive said changes were pivotal to modernising patient treatment and care.
Dr Overton, a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, handed out leaflets to shoppers in Haverfordwest over the Christmas period detailing his concerns.
 |  Withybush Hospital currently runs at 92-98% bed occupancy, causing significant difficulties in admitting patients who require beds  |
The consultants who put their name to the letter told BBC Wales they were worried if they spoke out individually they may face disciplinary action. They have taken issue with statements made about the number of bed losses at Withybush.
In their letter published in the Western Telegraph, they said there had been a number of ward closures over the past three years and that from Christmas Eve, when ward two closed, there had been an overall reduction of 23 beds.
 Their letter appears in Wednesday's Western Telegraph |
They said: "Some high-dependency beds have been built, but are not yet staffed or fully equipped, and will only amount to a further seven. "Ward four has been under great pressure due to a shortage of beds for the past year or more, and remains under pressure, as do most other wards in the hospital.
"Withybush Hospital currently runs at 92-98% bed occupancy, causing significant difficulties in admitting patients who require beds, both for emergency and planned operations."
Accident and emergency
On the same letters page Frank O'Sullivan, chief executive of Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust, responded, highlighting four new high-dependency beds and plans for a new accident and emergency development.
He said an increased number of patients were being treated as day cases and work was underway to reduce the length of stay of others. In a statement to the BBC news website the trust said as a result of ward changes there had been an overall reduction of 11 beds.
"This should be viewed along with a marked increase in our day case procedures, which has enabled us to significantly cut waiting times," it said.
The trust said it recognised the right of consultants and other staff to voice 'legitimate concerns' in the public arena.
It said senior doctors participated in the management of Withybush and it had a good record of discussing issues with staff.
The trust said it had now received a report on the investigation into Dr Overton and was hopeful of "an early resolution".
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