Healthcare workers from Barry hospital will today (Wednesday) hand over a petition at the Senedd signed by 12,991 people calling for the award-winning Sam Davies Ward to remain open.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board wants to close the acute rehabilitation ward and UNISON Cymru Wales has accused it of a complete failure to properly engage with staff and the local community about its plans.
The presentation of the petition follows UNISON’s march and rally from Barry hospital to King Square last Saturday. The trade union said healthcare workers were energised by the support they received on the march from patients’ families and members of the public and this has reinforced their determined to do everything they can to save the Sam Davies ward.
Stuart Egan, UNISON Cardiff and Vale health branch chair said,
“The health board must listen to Barry healthcare workers and to the 13,000 people in the local community who have signed the petition. This is a tremendously powerful message from Barry residents. Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign. Let’s keep health services for those who have had strokes and respite care for dementia patients in Barry. We can keep this ward open.”
Notes for editors
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Healthcare workers organised by UNISON will present the petition to the Welsh Assembly Petitions Committee at 12.30pm on Wednesday 8 October
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1,858 people signed the petition online and 11,133 people signed paper copies of the petition
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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
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The Sam Davies ward recently won a Carer Friendly Silver Award. The ward has been praised by Carers Trust South East Wales as a “shining example of great person-centred care, for both patients and their carers. They really go the extra mile…”
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON press officer 07816 53 83 97
Photo credit: Tracey Paddison