Hospital Closed for Months Has Been Broken Into as Health Board Reassures Community Over Its Future

A man has been charged after a break‑in at Gorseinon Hospital, which has been partially closed for several months. Swansea Bay University Health Board has moved to reassure residents that the hospital will reopen, despite the incident and the appearance of metal security plates covering its windows.

Beds from the hospital’s West Ward were temporarily transferred to Singleton Hospital last autumn due to long‑standing safety and staffing concerns. The move was originally expected to last until March 31 but has since been extended to September 30 to ensure patients can return safely.

The health board said metal plates were installed on windows to protect the building from “vandals, thieves, and urban explorers”. Security cameras will now be added so the plates can be removed once the site is fully secured.

Police were called to the hospital shortly after 5pm on Tuesday, March 24, following reports of a burglary. A 30‑year‑old man from Townhill has been charged with burglary other than dwelling and will appear at Swansea Crown Court at the end of April.

Following a meeting with local councillors, Health Board Chair Jan Williams and Chief Executive Abi Harris said they remain committed to the hospital’s future.

They said:  

“We have a number of services delivered from the hospital which are looking for additional space… We are supporting those services to make use of the space freed up in the ward area on a temporary basis.  

We are looking to install security cameras to make the hospital safer.”

They confirmed the break‑in had been reported to South Wales Police and thanked officers for their rapid response.  

“Our plan is to remove the plates as soon as possible, once we have secured the inside window latches and installed the security cameras.”

The health board said it continues to support the development of Gorseinon Hospital as a “vibrant community health facility”, with its long‑term role to be considered as part of a wider clinical services plan.

Services still operating at Gorseinon Hospital

Despite the partial closure, a wide range of services continue to run from the site, including:

- Musculoskeletal physiotherapy  

- Respiratory, cardiology and medicine, including the Heart Failure Clinic  

- Community bladder and bowel health services  

- Home First Nursing team  

- Occupational therapy  

- Health visiting  

- Parkinson’s nursing team  

- Speech and language therapy  

- Phlebotomy (blood collection)  

- District nursing  

- School nursing  

The investigation into the break‑in is ongoing.

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