Labour Calls For More Services For Amman & Gwendraeth Valleys

Labour Councillors in Carmarthenshire are calling for the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys to have their own Minor Injuries Unit, as the debate over the future of health provision in West Wales continues.

In response to Hywel Dda’s consultation, Our Big NHS Change, Welsh Labour Councillors argue that more services should to be delivered in the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys, not less, whilst stressing that there is a case for the area to have their own MIU. Welsh Labour community and county councillors are also working together to fight the proposals to remove beds from the Amman Valley hospital.

In all three of the health board’s proposals, A&E services would move from Carmarthen to the Whitland area, with the nearest non-emergency support for injuries and accidents being Prince Phillip Hospital. Under this plan, people would have to travel further for emergency care.

Labour Councillors argue that if Hywel Dda are serious about providing services in the community, close to where people live, then a much needed MIU would deliver this aspiration and ease the strain on A&E departments.

Speaking outside of the Amman Valley hospital, Labour Leader, Cllr Rob James, stated ‘We are saddened and disappointed that two of the two proposals from Hywel Dda Health Board recommend the removal of beds from this hospital, and frankly we cannot support that goal.

‘With around 43,000 people living in the Amman and Gwendraeth, it is scandalous that residents who have had a fall and sustained a mild injury has to travel all the way to Prince Phillip or Carmarthen to receive care, and that is without mentioning plans to move services from Carmarthen and possibly Llanelli.

‘In the Health Board’s proposals, both Cardigan and Llandovery, are earmarked to have an MIU provision in their area for the foreseeable future. I honestly cannot see any reason for depriving residents in the Amman and Gwendraeth the same provision and we will be fighting for Hywel Dda to recognise this need.

Garnant Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Carmarthenshire, Cllr Kevin Madge said ‘It’s very disappointing that there has not been a consultation meeting in Ammanford, which is the third largest town In Carmarthenshire.

’The people of the Amman Valley need to fight for the Amman Valley Hospital Services or they will disappear for good and people will have to travel to Llanelli and Carmarthen for their services.  With no public bus services to the main hospitals, this is totally wrong and heartbreaking for the people of the Valley, especially those with long standing chronic health conditions.

‘Cwmamman Town Council will be calling a public meeting in the next few weeks and I hope that the people of the Valley will support the campaign to stop services being cut at Amman Valley Hospital.’

The Hywel Dda consultation will continue for another six weeks before ending on the 12th July.