STAFF shortages at Bronglais Hospital are being addressed, health watchdogs were assured this week.

Members of Ceredigion Community Health Council were told that 28 nurse vacancies at the hospital are being filled.

But the CHC called for more information on staffing levels throughout the hospital.

The shortage of staff had meant the temporary closure of up to 13 beds, CHC chairman Paul Hinge said.

“There is a particular problem at Bronglais around staffing,” said Hywel Dda Health Board’s interim director for Ceredigion, Gill Davies.

“Twelve newly qualified nurses are now taking up their posts and their induction will be completed over the next three months,” she added.

Ms Davies said that more nurses are currently being recruited up to the current 28 vacancies.

Cllr Hinge said: “I have had calls from staff who have been appointed but haven’t been able to start work because of a complete snarl up in HR. We lost them to another place while they were waiting. It’s ludicrous.”

Chief officer of the CHC, Ashley Warlow, said: “We need to know exactly what the nursing establishment should be on each ward and the vacancy position. If nurses are leaving in droves we need to know why. We need a picture of the whole process, including the turnover rate.”

Mrs Davies said all the information would be available at future meetings.

CHC members undertook a series of unannounced visits to wards at Bronglais during last April to get a ‘snapshot’ view of services offered to patients. They plan similar visits again sometime in January.