A LEADING politician has claimed that Newport and Gwent residents are using the Grange University Hospital in a “different way from the way that was envisioned" – leading to problems being found at the new health centre.

Last week, health minister Eluned Morgan made the comments, after a report released by the Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council noted several issues within the hospital, which opened late last year as part of plans to close emergency care departments in Newport’s Royal Gwent, and Nevill Hall in Abergavenny.

However, the comments have been met with a mixed response from locals, many of whom have used the new hospital, located in Cwmbran.

Similar to the report, staff at the hospital were largely praised for their efforts in looking after patients – despite consistent staffing issues.

However, there are suggestions that as a result of this, waiting times have been significant for many seeking treatment.

Below, you can check out a selection of comments made by Argus readers.

  • Have you recently lost a loved one? We want to help you celebrate their life by publishing an obituary in the paper and online. Click here to submit information and pictures.

Argus readers react to Grange hospital comments

The below comments were made by South Wales Argus Facebook members.

You can join in the conversation here.

Melanie Vincent said: “I visited the a and e department (sent there via my GP), then spent a few days on the intensive care ward, then the respiratory ward. Cannot praise the staff there enough, the care I received was excellent all the way through.”

Jim Putnam said: “It's not the locals that's causing the problem, It's the local Health Board Practice/Surgeries. You just can't get to see a Doctor anymore.”

Laura Elizabeth said: “I have concerns about the A&E waiting area.... All of the medical staff are behind closed doors other than when they are letting patients in or out of the clinical area. What happens when a poorly person deteriorates? Who is eyeballing these patients regularly to check they're ok? I find it concerning. As for care, I can't complain about my two family members admissions, staff were amazing.”

Mark Seymour said: “Been to A&E several times with my work. Had to always sit on the floor. It’s too small. Have to shout through the glass to explain why you are there. No privacy. The triage staff have to come out and shout out names. No intercom or electronic ticket system? Staff were excellent. Terribly planned and designed. It’s hardly state of the art and its physically too small.”

Frances Grace Watkins said: “Fab hospital. Amazing...but very stretched staff.”

Read more local news here

Claire Cooper said: “It's meant to be for dire/critical emergencies…heart attacks, strokes severe injuries etc...not a walk in A&E for the walking wounded. Those people are meant to attend the Gwent or Neville Hall minor injuries departments...so anyone attending or sent there by their GP for anything other than critical health care will be causing problems.”

Sian Gibson said: “I actually couldn't fault them when our dad was rushed to resus ... they were kind considerate and they did their absolute best.”

Marie Roberts said: “Probably would have been a better idea to build a hospital as needed, rather than as they thought would be a good idea. Seriously when are locals voices going to heard? Most people could see this happening before it was even built.”

Emma Morgan said: “Great with my daughter even arranged security to move cars so I could park as I was on my own with her, very thorough if a little slow (definitely under pressure through the volume of people attending).”

Louise Gwyer said: “Absolutely shocking. The nurses are fabulous and so are the docs but the system absolutely sucks it’s wrong.”

Nanette Jones said: “They saved my life, so I can’t thank the doctors and nurses enough. ICU staff were amazing. Thankyou NHS.”

Leanne Davies said: “They should never of closed A&E departments at the other hospitals, when you do go to the others they send you to The Grange. The Grange was built as a specialist hospital for major trauma ie serious accidents etc, no wonder it's chaos down there.”

Nigel Barnett said: “Hospital not big enough to cater for all of Gwent and further afield...should not of downgraded the Royal Gwent & Nevill Hall hospitals.”

Kyle Burgoyne said: “Closing A&E at Nevill hall and the royal Gwent is the problem should of invested the money in the two hospitals.”

Claire Vaughan-Dare said: “Great hospital wonderful staff but simply not fit for purpose when locals cannot see a GP and minor injuries sent from other hospitals as no doctors there. It all needs to be replanned with a walk in A&E and hundreds more staff this will inevitably take time.”