It has just been announced this morning that Hywel Dda CHC (Community Health Council) are referring the decision over the future of Llanelli’s A+E unit to Labour Health Minister Lesley Griffiths in the Assembly who will now have the ultimate say on the future of emergency service provision here locally.
Sean Rees, Plaid Llanelli Communications Officer:
“We welcome the decision of the Community Health Council (CHC) to refer the decision to Lesley Griffiths as the whole process of this consultation has been a farce. The changes being proposed are nothing more than a cost cutting exercise that will leave our communities even further disadvantaged. It is a disgrace that the combined petition of 33,000 signatories presented by Plaid Cymru Llanelli and SOSPPAN with the backing of the Llanelli Star is being ignored.
It is completely unacceptable that patients will have to travel to Carmarthen or further to access their emergency treatment, this is not building a safer NHS, it will lead to an increased risk for patients locally.
Every Health Board in Wales is accountable to the Welsh Labour Government and therefore we call on its Health Minister Lesley Griffiths to intervene now and reverse this dreadful decision. The people of Llanelli need and must have a fully-fledged A+E unit led by the service of consultants and doctors”.
Plaid Cymru Mid and West AM Simon Thomas added:
“The decision by the Community Health Council to refer the decision to the Health Minister reflects the clear view of residents from Llanelli in contrast to the decision by the Community Health Council in north Wales. Plaid Cymru wants to see vibrant and sustainable communities and want to safeguard community health services. It is now up the Health Minister and the Welsh Government to make a decision. The Welsh Government must outline a vision for a Welsh NHS that listens to the views of the residents of Llanelli. The Welsh Health Minister must take responsibility and reverse her government’s damaging plans to remove hospital services and invest in health services instead. I know she has not won over the confidence of the people of Llanelli. I will continue to fight for the right allocation of health resources for a town of this size.”
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