CONCERNS have been raised by politicians after a national charity announced more than 60 potential redundancies at their Pontypool referral centre.

Around 62 staff are at risk of losing their jobs at Marie Curie’s centre in Mamhilad Park Estate due to the charity’s plans to coordinate care closer to peoples' homes in regional hubs.

The referral staff work to coordinate a network of nurses to help support terminally ill people.

But the proposed changes would not affect nursing staff, volunteers or support teams at the centre, which opened in 2012 and a consultation is due to end in March 2018.

Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds said he is concerned about the "uncertainty facing staff".

"With the consultation running until March 2018 I would urge people to send in their views," he said.

"I have asked to meet the chief executive urgently this week to discuss all aspects of this in more detail, to stress the need for staff to be supported during this period, and to make sure the voice of people who have expressed concern is heard.”

Torfaen's AM Lynne Neagle added: "I am particularly concerned to hear jobs at the Marie Curie Referral Centre at Mamhilad Park Estate may be at risk.

"I visited the centre earlier this year to learn about the work the centre does.

"I join with Nick Thomas-Symonds in encouraging people to respond to the consultation and in calling for staff to be listened to and supported through such uncertain times."

Marie Curie provides care and support for more than 3,500 people living with a terminal illness in Wales each year.

Care is delivered by nurses / hospices and supported by helper volunteers and fundraising campaigns.

The charity also needs to raise around £4.5 million to fund nursing and hospice care in Wales.

A spokeswoman for Marie Curie said: “In Wales, much of our nursing service is already coordinated locally and by clinical need.

“We are proposing for care to be coordinated closer to people’s homes, in regional coordination hubs across the UK, aiming to provide care and support to more people who need it at the end of life.

“We can confirm that the charity is in a period of consultation with 62 referral centre and support staff in Pontypool.

"We are supporting staff during this time”.

To find out more about Marie Curie in Wales, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk.