Statement from the Leader of the Council on Stroke Services at Prince Charles Hospital

As of the 8th of January 2025, expert staff and services for those requiring emergency treatment and care for a stroke, will be based at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital (RGH) at Llantrisant.

The Health Board held a meeting in December 2024 to advise Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM) region’s MP’s MS’s, Local Authority Leaders, and Chief Execs on the changes to their Stroke Services.

The move to a Single Acute Stroke unit, based at RGH, is being made as the health board manages a severe shortage of specialist medical staff with the training, skills and experience to safely care for patients experiencing a stroke. Challenges in recruiting stroke consultants are common across the NHS in the UK, so the health board is not alone in experiencing these issues.

CTM has worked closely with stroke and other clinical teams to explore opportunities for utilising the workforce in different ways to improve capacity and are working with neighbouring health boards to explore cross-health board support. However, it is clear from the health board’s communications, that they needed to make immediate, local changes to maintain a safe service. CTM have assured us that anyone presenting with Stroke symptoms will still receive the emergency treatment needed at A&E.  

Whilst we are extremely disappointed with this operational decision which has led to CTM  closing the Acute Stroke Unit in Prince Charles Hospital, we understand the reason for this. 

Moving forward, we hope that the Acute Stroke Service will return to PCH as soon as possible.

For updates, please check Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board website