'Closing wards adds to burden'.

Byline: KELLY BARKER 

CARE services may not be ready to cope with the "significant demand" once a community hospital shuts down in-patient wards, it is feared.

Denbighshire Council say the closures at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl will cause a "further burden on resources."

They are still waiting for assurances from the Betsi Cadwaladr University NHS Local Health Board (BCU) that alternative arrangements will be in place to treat the community. The board say imminent closure of the 40-bed wards is necessary because fire safety procedures are not up to scratch.

But Rhyl councillor John Bellis submitted a notice of motion backed by full council yesterday, raising concerns about the decision to close the last ward by Christmas.

The motion says: "BCU must explain why there has been a lack of consultation and discussions around their plans to treat our residents without the facility in Rhyl and in particular their assurance that the residents will not suffer from a lack of resources."

BCU say out-patient facilities will stay at the Royal Alexandra, while in-patients will move to other hospitals after a report revealed pounds 1.3m of upgrading work needs to be done. Staff-patient ratio is also a cause for concern for health bosses at the 137-year-old Victorian building. BCU say: The trust remains committed to providing more modern facilities in the Rhyl area but also acknowledges this will take some years to achieve.

A report for scrutiny committee members next week says: "It goes without saying the council cannot accept further burden on our resources."