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Cardiff spinal injuries unit to close
05 August 2010
The only specialist spinal injuries rehabilitation unit in Wales will close in the coming months, it has been announced.
Rookwood Hospital in Cardiff, which houses the Rookwood Spinal Injuries Rehabilitation Unit, is to close by April 2011.
A meeting is being held today with staff and management to discuss the future of the services currently provided at the hospital, which, in addition to rehabilitation for patients with spinal injuries, also include geriatric care services. It is understood that spinal injuries services will be transferred to Llandough Hospital.
Phil Williams, chief officer of Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Community Health Council, said: "There have been plans and rumours for a number of years [about Rookwood] but the latest review of services throughout the health board would seem to hasten the final closure of this facility.
"The standard of care at Rookwood is excellent and a credit to the staff who have to work in premises that are probably no longer fit for purpose in the 21st century. A new unit at University Hospital Llandough should considerably enhance the environment for patients but the other changes required in order to make room at University Hospital Llandough cannot be overlooked."
There are currently only 12 dedicated spinal injuries units in the UK. A full list of units and rehabilitation centres in the UK and Ireland is available here.
Related links
You can read more on this story at:
- Spine injury rehab unit in Cardiff to close - BBC News
- Rookwood Hospital set to close - CardiffOnline
Find your nearest spinal injuries unit or neurological centre:
