AM Standing up for Health Services

Llanelli Labour AM Keith Davies has this week used a series of meetings and a debate on District General Hospitals in the National Assembly to reaffirm his position over the future of services at Prince Philip Hospital.

Last week, Mr Davies met with the Health Minister Lesley Griffiths telling her that restoring Accident and Emergency services is vital to the future sustainability of the hospital. Mr Davies also suggested that Llanelli should be included as part of the mainly urban Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.

Keith Davies AM said:

“I presented the Minister with the views of the local people, who are immensely proud of their local hospital. I have made sure that the minister and her advisors are aware of the problems in the system and the impact that the removal of services from Llanelli to Carmarthen has had on patients.

“I want to be clear with people of Llanelli. I am listening to their concerns and putting those concerns across to the Health Board and the minister. I will continue to challenge the Health Board about their practices and when the time comes their proposals for our hospital.

“I will not stand by and watch anything else go from the hospital. But I want everyone to ask why are we in this position? Why, out of all of the hospitals in Hywel Dda has Prince Philip lost so much? Why was more not done by the previous AM to challenge the Health Board when so many of the services that were available to us in Llanelli were being taken away from us?”

Speaking in the Chamber on Wednesday 29th February 2012, Keith Davies praised the hard work of staff and the valuable contribution made by the Welsh NHS on the lives of ordinary people.

Addressing fellow Assembly Members Keith Davies AM said of Prince Philip Hospital:

“Having heard the stories or read reports, some believe that the future of services at the hospital has already been decided. The reality of the situation is quite different. No decisions have yet been taken.”

“My concern over the current engagement process is a matter of public record both here and at meetings in my own constituency. The NHS is important to us in Wales, it is important to me and the people I represent. Both the First Minister and the Health Minister are aware of how concerned my constituents are.”

Keith Davies attacked what he termed ‘unashamed electioneering by Plaid Cymru candidates’ who are confusing voters about the current and future position of the hospital.

Keith Davies said:

“How many more times must they be told that Prince Philip Hospital will not be closed? I want to assure my constituents that I am working on their behalf to maintain accessible and safe services close to the people of Llanelli.

“Hywel Dda Health Board must now take the views of Llanelli residents seriously. Their engagement process must be fair and transparent.

“They must talk to their service users in a meaningful way, going out of their way to meet with people and not to hide behind a process which will only further erode public confidence.”

Mr Davies is reminding local people to take part in the current listening exercise being conducted by the Hywel Dda Health Board. Copies of that feedback from and guidance are available from Keith Davies Constituency Office at 6 Queen Victoria Road, Llanelli, SA15 2TL or by calling 01554 774902.