Details of plans to replace three rehabilitation hospitals in north east Wales in a �10m project are expected to be ratified by the Welsh Assembly in the next few weeks.

NHS bosses first discussed closing Meadowslea in Penyffordd, Dobshill in Buckley and Trevalyn in Rossett two years ago.

The unit will deal with elderly patients who need to regain their independence and mobility which will include post operative recovery Andy Scotson

The ageing facilities have proved costly to maintain and despite previous objections, the NHS Trust have decided to close them down once two new units at Wrexham Maelor and Deeside Hospital's are built.

The wards, which will be funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, will provide modern services for pensioners to help them regain independent lives.

North East Wales NHS Trust spokesman Andy Scotson said there would be no redundancies resulting from the hospital changes.

"We are purely rehousing existing services in newer accommodation.

One of the units would be built at Wrexham Maelor Hospital

"The unit will deal with elderly patients who need to regain their independence and mobility which will include post operative recovery," he said.

Wrexham has the largest population of elderly people in the region and Mr Scotson said the new units would benefit them.

"It'll give easier access to other services within the hospital and it will bring the services closer to where the patients are, making it easier for their relatives to visit," he said.

Upon completion the units will house 76 beds in Wrexham and 34 beds in Deeside.

Project's future

That will leave a shortfall of 11 beds, however, Mr Scotson said trust bosses did not foresee a problem.

"We think the services will actually be speeded up because X-ray departments and so forth are within an accessible range."

The three rehabilitation hospitals earmarked for closure will only shut once the new facilities are up and running.

The final go ahead from the assembly is expected soon and building work would begin during the summer.

On Tuesday members of the North Wales Health Authority met to discuss the future of the project.