TOWN councillors are set to discuss plans to close a dementia ward at Chepstow Community Hospital.

Chepstow Town Council will consider a response to the consultation on the proposed redesign of older adults mental health services in Gwent at a full council meeting this evening, Wednesday.

The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has launched the public consultation, which runs until January 26.

A representative from the health board will discuss the plans at the meeting.

Under the plans, Gwent would have three dementia units - at Ysbyty Tri Chwm in Ebbw Vale, St Woolos Hospital in Newport, and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Ystrad Mynach - and a single functional mental illness unit, at County Hospital, Griffithstown.

This is the preferred option of five considered by the health board, and it would involve the closure of St Pierre Ward at Chepstow Community Hospital. If approved, patients would be treated at Ysbyty Tri Chwm in Ebbw Vale, or at St Woolos Hospital in Newport, depending on where in Monmouthshire they live.

The consultation can be viewed at wales.nhs.uk.