Ten beds have been closed at Denbigh Community Hospital due to safety concerns following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Betsi Cadwalladwr Health Board said that safety assessments highlighted a vulnerability in the wooden floor of one first floor ward partially sited above the hospital's kitchen.

The assessement said: "Considering the number of mobility impaired patients and the limited number of staff, this building will still present an extremely challenging situation to manage safely during a fire requiring evacuation.

"So the health board has decided that the 10 beds in the ward directly above the kitchen should no longer be used for inpatients."

It added: "Clearly it is a challenging time of year to reduce our bed stock, so we are working on plans to increase capacity in other community hospitals to make up for the reduction."

In another safety measure it has been decided patients who need mechanical aids, such as hoists, will not be nursed on the first floor.

Assembly Member Llyr Gruffydd said: “I’m glad that the health board is responding to the issues raised by the Grenfell disaster and putting patient safety first. But I do have concerns about the loss of 10 beds at a time when every bed in is important.

“The health board talks of replacing them in some unspecified location but I am seeking assurances that this partial closure will not mean that Denbigh is downgraded or worse. We need to enhance our community care facilities across north Wales and Denbigh has an important part to play in that.”