Tywyn Residents Rally to Save Local Hospital Services

Residents of Tywyn are uniting to protest the closure of their hospital’s inpatient ward, which has been temporarily closed since April 2023. A meeting titled “Stand up for Tywyn Hospital: Beds, Services, and Our Community’s Future” is scheduled for January 22, 2024, at 14:00 in the Neuadd Pendre meeting hall. Organized by the South Meirionnydd Older People’s Forum and the Tywyn Hospital Action Group, the gathering aims to amplify community voices calling for the reopening of essential services.

The protest follows a previous meeting where the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) faced criticism over its handling of the situation. A truck circulating Tywyn and Aberdyfi displayed an empty bed adorned with placards indicating the community’s mistrust of the health board. During the last meeting, held on January 16, 2024, at the Baptist Church, local residents expressed their concerns, filling the hall to capacity with 93 attendees.

BCUHB representatives presented at the meeting, stating that a formal consultation regarding the inpatient ward would not commence until June 2026, with recommendations expected by May 2027. This timeline, which extends beyond the upcoming elections, has raised skepticism among residents. Many believe that the health board is stalling on critical decisions affecting their community.

During the presentation, BCUHB cited staffing shortages as the primary reason for the ward’s closure. They framed the issue as a choice between maintaining inpatient beds and providing community services. However, their claim that newly qualified nurses prefer training in acute hospitals has been met with skepticism, particularly given the lack of recent recruitment efforts specifically for the Dyfi Ward.

The health board has indicated that they are exploring three options for Tywyn Hospital, asserting that nothing is “off the table.” Yet, community members question how inpatient services can remain viable without a dedicated option for the ward. The discussion highlighted the need for transparency and informed choices for the public.

Local sentiments ran high during the meeting, with references to the historical flooding of Tryweryn serving as a reminder of the potential harm to the community if the Dyfi Ward remains closed. The overwhelming consensus among attendees was a call for both inpatient services and broader healthcare support, emphasizing that dignity and safety in care require both elements.

In response to the concerns raised, Paolo Tardivel, Interim Executive Director of Transformation and Strategic Planning at BCUHB, stated, “We are continuing to listen to local people and staff as we think about the future of inpatient services at Tywyn Community Hospital.” He assured the community that feedback would shape future options for consultation, although he acknowledged that decisions about the ward’s future remain pending.

The community’s efforts to advocate for Tywyn Hospital are set to continue at the upcoming meeting. Local representatives and supporters will gather to voice their concerns and demand a commitment to healthcare services vital to the region. The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the future of healthcare in Tywyn, underscoring the importance of community engagement in local health issues.

As residents prepare for the meeting on January 22, they remain resolute in their determination to ensure that Tywyn Hospital’s services are preserved, highlighting the critical role such institutions play in rural healthcare. The commitment to fight for every bed and every service reflects a broader concern about the centralization of healthcare in Wales and its implications for local communities.