Hospitals strained (From Barry And District News)

Hospitals strained

A REVIEW has been launched to solve major problems at Llandough Hospital in providing services to Vale women.

Shortages of midwives and nurses and reduced working hours for junior doctors have put a strain on Llandough and the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Delivery suites for pregnant women have had to be shut down temporarily and operations for gynaecological patients have frequently been cancelled.

Health chiefs admit that the action they have taken so far to keep services running is a 'sticking plaster' solution, and more permanent answers are needed.

Now Vale of Glamorgan women are being asked their views on services such as family planning, maternity and gynaecology provided by Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust.

It is part of a review aimed finding a long-term answer to staffing pressures and outdated facilities.

The review will develop a plan to provide a service offering good access to local patients as well as top class regional and specialist provision.

Mrs Janet Evans, Director of Women's Services at Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, said: "We have looked at ways to keep the service going as safely as possible but these are only temporary measures, merely sticking plasters, and a comprehensive review is now essential. We very much welcome women's comments.

An email address has been set up at Whatwomenwant@cardiffand vale.wales.nhs.uk"