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Community Beds - Frequently Asked Questions

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Community beds provide care for patients who no longer need treatment in an acute hospital bed but who are not quite ready to return home yet.  

Patients may need a community bed for:  

  • Rehabilitation  

  • Recovery  

  • Reablement  

  • Further assessment  

 

There are currently fewer community beds available in Bridgend than in other parts of Cwm Taf Morgannwg, which means that some patients who require a community bed are offered a bed outside of their local area.  

Being cared for closer to home helps patients stay connected to their family, friends and local support networks. It can also improve their experience of care. 

As a result of refurbishment work at Princess of Wales Hospital, an opportunity has been created to increase community bed provision within Bridgend. We are proposing to open two community wards which will provide 46 beds to the Bridgend region.  

  

1. What is a community bed? 

A community bed provides care for patients who no longer require medical treatment in an acute hospital bed, but who aren't ready to return home yet.  

Community beds offer patients rehabilitation, recovery, reablement support and further assessment to help a person to return home as soon as it is safe to do so and to receive care and support closer to home wherever possible. 

 

2. Why are the beds moving? 

The Health Board has reviewed its community bed provision and recognises the importance of equitable access to community beds across all three localities.  

Following the critical incident in Princess of Wales Hospital (POWH) in October 2024, community beds were moved to Ysbyty George Thomas. The move was intended to be a temporary arrangement while essential works took place at POWH.  

This arrangement was extended; however, a recent review highlighted the importance of providing equitable access to community beds across all three localities. 

Refurbishment work is taking place at Princess of Wales Hospital and has created an opportunity to increase community bed provision within the Bridgend area. This will allow more Bridgend residents to receive care closer to home whilst ensuring services remain safe, effective and sustainable.  

 

3. Why are the beds moving from a community hospital into an acute hospital? 

The Health Board is committed to ensuring equitable access to community beds across all three localities.  

While we recognise that an acute hospital site, like the Princess of Wales, is not the normal setting for community beds, the refurbishment works have introduced an opportunity to re-design the current vacant wards to deliver this service.  

 

4. What does the return of community beds to Princess of Wales mean for Ysbyty George Thomas?

The move of community beds from Princess of Wales to Ysbyty George Thomas was intended to be a temporary arrangement while essential work was undertaken at POWH during the critical incident in October 2024.

When these beds return to Princess of Wales, Ysbyty George Thomas will continue to provide the services it did before the relocation of community beds. 

The Health Board is considering how the vacated wards can best support local healthcare needs, and discussions are ongoing. Further information will be shared once plans have been developed and agreed. 

 

5. Does the move of community beds in Ysbyty George Thomas mean less community beds for residents in Rhondda Cynon Taf?  

Patients in Rhondda Cynon Taf will still have access to community beds in Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda. This move to Bridgend will introduce a more balanced spread of beds to best meet the needs of patients.  

 

6. Will this change mean that any staff will lose their jobs? 

No. The valuable skills and experience of our staff will be retained across the Health Board.  

   

7. When will the move happen? 

Subject to the contractual work being completed, the Health Board aims to have the wards occupied at Princess of Wales by the end of the year.  

 

8. What will be different for patients once the changes have been made? 

For patients, these changes will mean that there will be more equitable access to community beds across all three regions of Cwm Taf Morgannwg. Bridgend patients will have access to 46 community beds, allowing them to access care closer to home.  

 

9. I have concerns about these changes, who can I speak to?    

If you have any concerns about these proposed changes or would like to raise any issues you've experienced regarding care, treatment, communication, or service, please contact our dedicated Concerns team on CTM.Concerns@wales.nhs.uk.