Government statement on future of Prince Phillip Hospital

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths has assured people in West Wales there are no plans to downgrade Prince Philip Hospital.

All Local Health Boards are currently drafting proposals for the future of services to ensure the Welsh NHS meets a number of challenges, from an ageing population to a UK-wide problem with recruitment.

Lesley Griffiths said,

“I want to reassure those concerned that neither I, nor Hywel Dda Local Health Board, have any plans to downgrade or close any district general hospitals, Prince Philip included.

“In regular meetings with the Chair of Hywel Dda Health Board, I have been reassured that plans are very much focused on upgrading, rather than downgrading services across Hywel Dda including Prince Philip.

“The Health Board tells me there are no plans for significant change to Prince Philip and I am pleased to hear there are options currently being considered to enhance the role of the Breast Care Unit and Elective Orthopaedic services, and to provide a new Specialised Rehab Centre of Excellence.

“Hywel Dda Health Board is in the process of engaging with staff and the local population to produce proposals for service change, which will be put forward in the next few months for thorough public consultation

“As I have said, the status quo is not an option for the Health Service in Wales. As the Wanless Report of 2003 said, and the Bevan Commission reiterated recently, the NHS has to change to ensure future services are safe, sustainable and of the best quality.

“All plans put forward by Health Boards across Wales will be scrutinised, not only by independent clinicians on the National Clinical Forum, but by the Welsh Government and, most importantly, by the public. It is vital people engage with those plans over the coming months.”

Press Release sourced from the Welsh Government: 

http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2012/120307philip/?lang=en