Urgent, temporary change to stroke services at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Due to severe medical staffing shortages the health board needs to make an urgent, temporary change to some of its inpatient hospital stroke services.

The acute stroke unit, which includes a range of specialist staff who treat and care for those who have experienced a stroke, will move from the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil to join with the acute stroke unit at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant during the week commencing 6 January 2025.

This change is being made because we do not currently have the number of specialist stroke doctors to provide a safe service at both hospitals at this time.

This change does not affect the ability of emergency departments at any of our hospitals – including Prince Charles Hospital, or Princess of Wales, Bridgend – to treat those attending with a stroke or suspected stroke. This means that any patient suffering with a stroke who attends any of our emergency departments will continue to be provided with the urgent treatment they need, swiftly and expertly.

Patients who require more intensive treatment and care will then be transferred by dedicated ambulance to the centralised acute stroke unit at Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

We appreciate the concern that the announcement about this urgent change has caused. However, a lack of specialist staff in the UK, worsened by long-term sickness and absence within the CTMUHB stroke team, means it is currently not possible to maintain a safe acute stroke service across two hospitals.

Making this change means CTMUHB can continue to provide a service that saves lives and reduces the devastating effects of stroke for as many patients as possible.

Whilst we implement this change, we are continuing to work hard to address the staffing challenges in order to make stroke care more sustainable and accessible for the communities we serve within CTM and the wider south Wales region.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation

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Last updated 23.12.24