The number of beds at Withybush Hospital has been slashed from today (Thursday) as part of Hywel Dda’s ongoing management of “clinical and financial resources”, prompting fears of further cuts to come.

From December 1st the number of beds on ward one, orthopaedics, has dropped from 24 to 16 and four trolleys.

Ward three, general surgery, has reduced from 30 to 24 with four trollies and ward four, gynaecology, has lost two beds and now has 22 beds and four gynaecological assessment trolleys.

Documents seen by the Western Telegraph also indicate that trollies on wards will not be available at weekends.

Director of planning, performance and delivery, Tony Chambers, said that all staff affected will be relocated within the hospital and specialist nurses will continue in their roles.

“This change is part of ongoing management of our clinical and financial resources to ensure their best use. As an operational issue, this is not subject to public consultation.”

The Save Withybush Action Team (SWAT) has raised concerns that this is the beginning of cuts to inpatient services and patient could be put at risk.

Chairman Chris Overton said: “As far as SWAT is concerned this is what we have been saying all along – they are trying to cut back the number of inpatient services, starting with surgical.

“It looks like they are going to try and concentrate orthopaedics in Carmarthen or Llanelli. They will say orthopaedics is staying but it will just be day cases and those falling over and breaking hips will go to the medical ward.

“Once they reduce inpatient services a little at a time over the next few months they won’t need to have a consultation, which is what they should be having right now.

“Health Minister Lesley Griffiths won’t define a district general hospital but effectively we will be just a suped-up cottage hospital - diagnostics, day cases and outpatients and maybe a few inpatient beds.”

Mr Chambers added: “We have fully communicated with key clinicians and staff regarding a new model of Scheduled (planned) Care beds at Withybush Hospital that will be in place between December and March.

“This offers a number of benefits for the wards, including the opportunity to develop both overnight and short stay beds for five nights per week, the enhancement of Day Surgery and the development of an admissions lounge to improve a patient’s journey through the hospital.”

The Health Board was also asked if SWAT’s fears that Withybush surgeons have been asked to join the on-call rota at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, from April, potentially leaving Pembrokeshire with no overnight surgical cover were correct.

A spokesman said it was incorrect.