Local MS visits staff and patients at Bridgend field hospital

The Member of the Senedd for Ogmore, Huw Irranca-Davies, has paid a visit to Ysbyty’r Seren to find out more about the vital work going on at the field hospital in Bridgend.

Ysbyty’r Seren is Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB’s field hospital, it was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and by December 2020 was reported as being amongst the busiest in the UK. Whilst the number of patients being treated is now thankfully much lower, key work is still taking place at the hospital, provided by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

Mr Irranca-Davies was met at the hospital by Rachel Rowlands, the Chief Executive of Age Connects Morgannwg, and given a full tour of the facilities by Kelly Downes, Head of Nursing and Darrell Clarke Interim Clinical Service Group Manager for Primary and Community Care.

During the tour Mr Irranca-Davies heard how work at Ysbyty’r Seren is playing a key part in the Winter Protection Plan of Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board (RPB).

Councillor Chris Davies, Chair of the RPB, explained, “Our regional Winter Protection Plan set out to ensure services were designed around the individual, so people receive care based on their unique needs and what matters to them. The work undertaken at Ysbyty’r Seren since the beginning of the pandemic has been excellent, with patient needs truly at the heart of every decision.”

Mr Davies continued “A stay in hospital can be a daunting experience, however thanks to the fantastic team of activity co-ordinators, funded through the Winter Protection Fund, it’s clear patients have received a high level of dedicated care, support and company while recovering from COVID-19.”

The funding by the RPB has allowed Age Connects Morgannwg to place Activity Co-ordinators at the hospital; they are able to provide daily meaningful, therapeutic activities for patients. They are also instrumental in providing opportunities for patients to stay connected with family and friends whilst in hospital.

Mrs Rowlands was delighted at the opportunity to tell Mr Irranca-Davies more about the work being carried out by Activity Co-ordinators Donna and Eira at the hospital.

“Throughout the pandemic, Age Connects staff have been supporting patients in community hospitals across Cwm Taf Morgannwg, including Ysbyty’r Seren.  Our Activities Co-ordinators Donna and Eira do such an incredible job of helping patients stay in touch with family and friends and keeping them occupied with daily activities. It was great to hear such positive feedback from the patients and staff at Ysbyty’r Seren about the impact Age Connects has had on their experience in the field hospital.”

During the visit Huw Irranca-Davies was able to spend some time with the patients at Ysbyty’r Seren discussing their experiences and looking at some of the art they have created with the help of the Age Connects team.

“It was fantastic to see first-hand the work of the Age Connects team, bringing warmth and compassion to support people in recovery, and helping speed their return to independent living. My thanks to all the Age Connect team – working hand in hand with nursing and clinical staff – for all they are doing now and for what they have done during the pandemic too.”