The beds, described as “step down” beds, are used by patients who no longer need acute hospital care but are not yet ready to return home. They serve people from across the health board area, not just the immediate Gorseinon community.
The health board says the move would allow staff to work more closely together and help manage staffing shortages more effectively. It stressed that other services based at Gorseinon Hospital would not be affected.
A final decision is expected later this month.
A Swansea Bay University Health Board spokesperson said:
“As a result of patient safety concerns relating to staffing pressures at our inpatient ward at Gorseinon Hospital, we are currently considering proposals to transfer the inpatient beds temporarily to vacant space at Singleton Hospital.
The beds are ‘step down’ beds that enable patients to bridge the gap between hospital care and home and they serve a much wider population than the immediate area.
Plans are currently being put in place for the transfer of the beds and the health board will make a final decision later this month.
Consolidating at Singleton will allow teams to support one another and enable us to manage staffing pressures more effectively. Transferring the beds will also ensure that staff can access wider support and leadership at Singleton.
Gorseinon is home to other services as well as the inpatient ward – these will not be affected.”
The proposals have prompted concern among some staff, who say they were informed of the potential changes at a meeting earlier this week.
