Health board addresses misinformation about future of healthcare services in Maesteg, as discussions continue about significant new investment

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has set out the facts about healthcare services in Maesteg, Bridgend, in response to a planned protest in the town on Saturday, 24 January. 

The health board has been in discussion with elected representatives in response to concerns that local people are being misinformed about the future of Maesteg Hospital, and to share details of a potential huge investment of new money for the area’s health services.

Health Board Chief Executive, Paul Mears, said:

"We are aware there is a gathering taking place in Maesteg this Saturday, relating to the future of the community hospital. We understand the depth of feeling concerning the hospital, which occupies an important place in the town’s history, but are increasingly concerned that there is a significant amount of misinformation circulating in the community and on social media about what the Health Board has or has not agreed regarding this facility.

“I want to be absolutely clear that the Health Board has not made a decision to close the hospital nor has the hospital been put up for sale.

“Those who are genuinely concerned about the health of current and future generations living in Maesteg will want to know that the health board has access to around £30million of funding from Welsh Government (subject to business case approval) to develop services specifically for Maesteg and the Llynfi Valley.  

“We are working hard to explore how best to utilise this very significant resource to bring more services into the local community and improve the access and range of services available for local people.  The discussions to date include reviewing whether the current hospital site is suitable for the range of services people need and have asked for locally and whether we can do so within the resources available to us.  We have been open about these deliberations throughout.

“People will also understand that we also have a duty to explore other options for providing these expanded, improved services locally and this has included an evaluation of a potential, brand-new health and care facility within Maesteg. 

“It’s important to clarify that no decision has been made on which option will be taken forward. The decision will be informed by clinicians, including doctors and health professionals providing care in Maesteg, and the healthcare needs of the community now and in the future. It must of course also take into account the financial resources available to us

“If we work together, the health board and local communities have the potential to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform not only the quality, accessibility and breadth of local NHS services, but also the lives of those living in Maesteg.

“We continue to have discussions with key stakeholders and will be meeting next week with elected representatives to update them on the latest position and next steps.   We will also be planning a full range of opportunities for the local community to continue sharing their thoughts, later this year. This will include more in-person events.

“In relation to Maesteg, nothing is more important to the health board than the health and wellbeing of local people; those who live in these communities now and those who will in the future. We will continue to work hard, alongside them, to develop health services of which we can all be proud.”