Stroke patient's plea for place that helped him talk again

After suffering a stroke last March, Brendan Somers lost his speech and mobility in his left side.

He believes the fact he can write with his left hand again and talk is because of the care he received - this is why he speaks so passionately about the facility which provided it.

Mr Somers received treatment at the stroke unit of Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.

However, under plans of the Hywel Dda health board, it could be changed to a "treat and transfer" unit, where some rehabilitation then takes place at another hospital, potentially hours away.

As the health board looks to make savings across its area, it promised that whatever option is taken, Bronglais would continue to play an "extremely important role" for patients.

Despite this reassurance, a group has formed to express their views on the importance of all services.

"I was transferred to the hospital and within probably an hour of having the stroke I was having all the necessary scans to assess the damage," said Mr Somers, 75, from Aberystwyth.

"That is the reason why I can talk to you today.

"It's the reason why I can go for a walk."

He is concerned any changes could lead to patients being sent to Llanelli in Carmarthenshire or Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, for treatment.

"You're talking about a minimum of a four-hour round trip drive to either of those venues," he added.

"If you use public transport, you're talking about seven to eight hours return journey.

"Rehabilitation is not just about physiotherapy but (also) your mental wellbeing. Having family and friends around you when something like this happens is so important."

A new group has formed, which is campaigning to maintain services at Bronglais Hospital.

Members are concerned about the future of the hospital's acute stroke ward, and the possible reduction of other services.

Protect Bronglais Services will meet for the first time on Friday to discuss how it can challenge changes proposed by Hywel Dda university health board.

The health board said it recognised the importance of Bronglais for people in mid Wales and there would be a consultation on any changes in May.

Under the health board's clinical services plan, there are four options for how stroke services could be delivered.

Under all of options, Bronglais, along with Glangwili hospital in Carmarthen, would have treat and transfer units.

This means they would have facilities for initial treatment, including clot busting drugs, before patients were transported to another hospital - with acute stroke units in Llanelli (61 miles from Bronglais) or Haverfordwest (65 miles away).

The distance would be even further for people in parts of Powys and south Gwynedd who also use the hospital in Aberystwyth.

Ruth Davies from Aberystwyth had a stroke in 2020 and has made a good recovery thanks to, she said, Bronglais.

"It was a lifesaver and I'm still here today to tell the tale," she added.

She was "shocked and upset" to hear of the plans, adding: "Imagine somebody from Powys now having to travel.

"Where are they going to take them to? I am worried (and) I believe that everybody in general is worried."

Lisa Francis is a member of Protect Bronglais Services and says she's worried that Hywel Dda is downgrading the facility, calling it "the beating heart of mid Wales".

"It's the only district hospital serving four counties and we depend on it so much," she added.

Hywel Dda health board said if people do have to go to a more specialist facility after a stroke, it wants that to be for the shortest amount of time possible, and for them to return to Bronglais for the rest of their rehabilitation.

It faces unprecedented financial problems and has a target deficit of £64m for the 2024-25 financial year.

To achieve that target, the health board has to make ongoing savings.

"All of these changes are clinically driven and driven by quality and safety," said chief executive Philip Kloer.

"So any proposals around these services that come to our board will be clinically driven.

"Of course, we do have financial challenges and we do need to make progress, because any extra money we spend is taken away from other public services."

In response, Mr Kloer said the health board recognised the importance of the hospital in Aberystwyth.

"Bronglais is extremely important to the population in mid Wales," he added.

"We're really aware of that, and it's going to have a hugely important role in the future for a whole variety of services.

"We will be trying to make those services even safer, even higher quality."