HYWEL Dda health board has responded to concerns that Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital is no longer a dedicated cancer ward.

Concerns for the future of the ward erupted on social media yesterday (Thursday), following reports that there were no longer dedicated cancer beds on the ward.

A health board spokesman said: “Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital has not closed and any speculation to suggest it is closing is inaccurate.

“Ward 10 provides care to patients with both specialist cancer needs and general medical problems and is continuing to provide specialist nursing care to cancer patients.

The spokesman acknowledged ‘recruitment problems’ at the hospital which have meant it is currently without a full-time consultant on site.

“We do, however, have part time consultant expertise supporting our experienced general physicians and support from consultant oncologists based at Singleton Hospital,” she said.

She added that the health board was taking “a number of actions to address this situation including recruiting to locum posts in all areas and recruiting agency staff”.

“We would like to assure local people and patients that Ward 10 continues to care for patients with cancer and the university health board is entirely committed to the appointment of a full-time palliative care consultant.”

However several hospital staff have raised concern about the lack of leadership on the ward, and complained about the lack of certainty in Ward 10’s future as a dedicated cancer ward.