THE taxpayer will foot the care bill for patients who had gastric balloons fitted at a now defunct Newport clinic.

The NHS has stepped in to provide aftercare for 33 people in Wales who had the pioneering weight loss treatment at the Celtic Springs Clinic, which shut last month.

However, nine patients in England may have to pay again in private clinics, because the same support has not been pledged across the border, the Argus has learned.

Nucleus Health-care Limited, trading as Celtic Springs Clinic, went into administration in October and with no solution to its cashflow problems it was forced to close, with the loss of 25 jobs.

Just two months previously, the managing director spoke about ambitious plans for its services, including breast enlargement, eyelid surgery and liposuction, with a growing team of top-flight consultants.

A spokeswoman for joint administrators Andrew Pear and Michael Solomons of BM Advisory LLP estimated the cost to maintain a gastric balloon could be up to £5,000 per person. Mr Pear said: “Patient care has remained our principal focus throughout the administration process.

“Since our appointment, we have been working with a number of specialist healthcare providers and institutions, and I am pleased to report that the NHS in Wales has now agreed to take responsibility for the on-going care of the patients resident in Wales.

“This includes, where possible, enabling the balloons to remain in place for the full term, so that patients can gain the maximumbenefit from the service they have paid for.”

Discussions with theNHS in England are ongoing, he said, and a specialist nurse is being retained to offer on-going clinical support.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We always expect private providers to honour their duty of care to patients, however the priority of the NHS is to provide care for whoever needs it.

“Patients who received treatment at Nucleus Healthcare Ltd and experience problems can be assured the NHS will not let them down."