Neath MP Voices Anger over Proposed Closure of Gellinudd Hospital

MP for Neath Peter Hain has expressed his bitter disappointment about the impending closure of Gellinudd Hospital in Pontardawe, blaming Westminster-led cuts for the decline of local health services.

Mr Hain says, ‘Gellinudd Hospital provides a vital service to local people in the Pontardawe community, many of whom have contacted me to voice their opposition to its closure in the strongest possible terms.’

Plans to close the 30 bed hospital would see patients forced to seek healthcare elsewhere, adding strain to what Mr Hain describes as ‘already overstretched services.’ The local MP has been a vocal opponent from the beginning to the closure of Gellinudd, which he maintains is a vital bridging service for patients who are well enough to be discharged from acute hospitals but are unable to return home.

According to Mr Hain, ‘I have written repeatedly to the Chief Executive of the ABMU Health Board in order to convey the views of my constituents and also to add my own grave concerns regarding the devastating impact that Gellinudd’s closure will have on its patients and their loved ones.’

‘Furthermore, I am deeply unsatisfied by the plans to redirect just £340,000 a year of the £1.2 million spent annually on Gellinudd into additional community services, which I fear will result in a drop in the quality of care provided to the facility’s vulnerable patients.’