In just three weeks, 5,000 people have signed UNISON’s petition to keep open the threatened Sam Davies Ward at Barry Hospital.
UNISON healthcare workers at the hospital launched the petition on 23 July with a call for the whole town to sign up to defend the local acute rehabilitation ward for older people.
Andrew Woodman, UNISON Cymru Wales regional organiser said,
“People have responded magnificently when UNISON healthcare workers have asked them to support our petition. It is clear people cherish their local hospital services and they recognise the valuable work staff do to support the elderly in the community.
“We’ve been on the high streets and into shops speaking to as many people as we can. No-one we’ve spoken to thinks closing the Sam Davies Ward is a good idea or will benefit patients or their families in any way.
“We’re certain we’ll get thousands more signatures. UNISON will be at Barry Island in September and we’ll have a stall at Barry Pride. We’ll keep talking to everyone about the need for local and easily accessible public services to remain in Barry. Closure of the Ward would force people to travel further afield to health services based at Llandough or the Heath hospital.
“UNISON will do our best to keep the Sam Davies Ward open.”
Notes for editors
- To date, 3,287 people have signed paper copies of the petition. A further 1,580 people have signed online, giving a total of 4,867. Copies of the petition have been left for people to sign in shops and offices
- Watch UNISON’s new video about the campaign #SaveSamDaviesWard
- UNISON will be on Barry Island on Sunday 1 September 10am-4pm and have a stall at Barry Pride on 21 September. Further activities are planned in King Square.
- The ‘Save Barry Hospital Ward’ petition is live on the Welsh Government website. See text below.
- Many Barry hospital healthcare workers live locally and don’t drive so redeployment will be difficult. The board has not promised that job losses will be avoided
- UNISON Cymru Wales has accused the health board of a complete failure to properly engage with staff and the local community about its plans.
The text of the petition is as follows:
e-Petition: Save Sam Davies Ward at Barry Hospital
We the undersigned call on the Welsh Government, being the ultimate body responsible for the provision of health care in Wales, to stop the proposal of the Cardiff & Vale UHB to close the Sam Davies Ward, a 23 bedded older persons acute rehabilitation ward at the Barry Hospital, and to ensure that the Barry Hospital continues to provide Health Services to the public of Barry the largest Town in Wales.
The Sam Davies Ward is a 23 bedded older persons acute rehabilitation ward. The services include stroke rehabilitation, orthopaedic rehabilitation, and medical rehabilitation amongst other key health services. The ward also has two respite beds
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON press officer 07816 53 83 97