Staff sickness leads to partial closure of Welshpool hospital ward

Part of Welshpool Hospital's only ward has been closed because of staff sickness, it has emerged. Nine of the 31 beds have been closed but health officials have insisted that the ward is still running smoothly.

They say it will reopen once staffing levels return to normal but Councillor Francesca Jump from Welshpool said she concerned at the amount of time the ward had been closed.

"I've been told that the ward has been closed for quite a while now because of sickness amongst staff and I hope it can reopen soon," she said.

However, a spokesman for Powys Local Health Board said part of the hospital's only ward had been closed for a few weeks and would reopen once staffing levels were back to normal.

"It's unfortunate but things are running smoothly," he said.

Councillor Phil Pritchard, from Welshpool, said it was disappointing that the hospital had been affected because of staff shortages.

"I've heard the ward had been closed but don't know the full details of what has happened.

"But as I understand it has been closed for a number of weeks because of staff sickness," Councillor Pritchard said.

"Hospital services are vitally important and it's important that cuts are not made to services anywhere," he added.

"Obviously staff sicknesses cannot be helped but resources should be put in place to cope with these things."