AM QUIZZES WELSH GOVERNMENT OVER FUTURE OF HEALTH SERVICES IN THE HYWEL DDA AREA
Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas raised the future of health services in the Hywel Dda University Health Board with the Cabinet Secretary for Health
Speaking during health questions in the Senedd Mid and West AM Simon Thomas said:
“I am participating fully in the conversation about the future of health services. I think the people of west Wales deserve excellent healthcare delivered at a reasonable distance, and this includes urgent care and teaching hospitals.
“Bronglais in Aberystwyth looks after the northern part of the Hywel Dda area, and is in all scenarios being kept as it is. The question is:
how do we deal with those aims and ambitions in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire?
“The options put forward by Hywel Dda involve a new hospital, potentially, in that area. if we’re going to have a genuine conversation about really revolutionising our community beds, our mental health and our hospital services in west Wales, then we need to understand that this is a genuine consultation based on understanding that this can happen. That means that, since we have not had major hospital investment in west Wales for the last 30 years, a new hospital is a potential way of delivering excellent healthcare.”
The Plaid Cymru AM added: “I sought assurances for money for a new hospital so the consultation is not a sham to hide further cuts. I asked the Labour Cabinet Secretary to commit if the outcome of the consultation leads to Hywel Dda recommending a new hospital in the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire for the Welsh Government to provide the money to realise that ambition.”
Cabinet Secretary for Health Vaughan Gething could not provide a full answer because any final decision might come to him. He did however highlight the work in Gwent and time it took to develop a business case for a new hospital.
The new Grange Hospital in Llanfrechfa, Gwent is estimated to cost £350m.
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