Plaid Cymru anger over smokescreen on Prince Philip Hospital

Plaid Cymru representatives have reacted with anger over a smokescreen by the Labour party over changes in the shift patterns at Llanelli fire station to hide from proper scrutiny over the removal of services from Prince Philip Hospital.

The Mid and West Fire Authority voted last Tuesday (16th April) to introduce a change in shift patterns at Llanelli fire station, following cuts in funding by the Labour controlled Welsh Government.

Mid and West AM Simon Thomas commented:

“It is disappointing that the Llanelli AM and MP are attempting to make political capital of this serious issue after these changes in shift patterns have been democratically decided. They failed to make representations about the changes contained in the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority action plan which was consulted on in October 2011.

“After the meeting last Tuesday I’ve received assurances from the Chair of the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority about the service available in Llanelli following the changes in the shift patterns.

“Whatever you think of this decision at least this was an open democratic decision, unlike the changes for Prince Philip Hospital decided by Welsh Ministers in Cardiff Bay. Plaid Cymru councillors voted to make the meeting public and to ensure a recorded vote.

“The people of Llanelli will see through politicians who are using this as a smokescreen to avoid proper scrutiny of what the Welsh Government is doing – removing services from Prince Philip Hospital.”

Plaid Llanelli Communications Officer, Sean Rees said:

“This is party political point-scoring from the Labour Party. It is their own party in power in the Welsh Government that is cutting the money available for our Fire and Rescue Services in Mid and West Wales.

“Less money from the Labour Party in Cardiff Bay means less money for the services we all use locally. The Mid and West Wales Fire Authority democratically decided to go ahead with changes in shift patterns rather than shut fire stations. Is this the alternative that Labour councillors want? Shutting fire stations across the region?

“The Labour party claims that fire authority members are intentionally putting Llanelli residents at risk – these are disgraceful political antics from the party that runs the Welsh Government and ultimately controls the purse strings of the fire authority.

“Week in week out the Labour party which runs Carmarthenshire Council preach about the need for change and cuts to budgets. It is worth remembering that it is their party in government and it is their party that has forced the Fire Authority to look at different ways of working.”