Hywel Dda University Health Board would like to thank everyone who took part in the public consultation on the future of stroke services, which closed on Sunday 26 July 2026.
During the eight-week consultation patients, carers, staff, partner organisations and neighbouring communities shared their views on proposals for the future of stroke services across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and neighbouring health board areas.
The second phase of stroke consultation launched on 28 May 2026, and feedback was gathered through questionnaires, events, meetings and online sessions. This includes over 700 questionnaire responses received to date, and the conversations had with more than 3,000 people at over 120 engagement events and activities.
The consultation sought views on a preferred option which included:
- A 24-hour acute stroke and rehabilitation unit at Glangwili Hospital
- A stroke rehabilitation unit at Bronglais Hospital
- Treat and transfer services at Bronglais, Prince Philip and Withybush hospitals
The preferred option was developed from feedback gathered during the first phase of consultation in 2025 as part of the Clinical Services Plan.
Currently, stroke services are provided across all four main hospitals in Hywel Dda – Bronglais, Glangwili, Prince Philip, and Withybush. However, services do not consistently meet national clinical standards and there is no specialist stroke cover available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Stroke care has advanced significantly, and evidence shows that patients have better outcomes in specialist units with access to expert teams and equipment around the clock.
Medical Director Mr Mark Henwood said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete a questionnaire, attend an event or share their views with us during this consultation. The response we have received reflects how important stroke services are to people across our communities and neighbouring health board areas.
“We know there has been considerable discussion about the proposals, and we appreciate the thoughtful and constructive way people have engaged with the consultation. We would like to reassure people that no decisions have been made. The feedback gathered through questionnaires, events and discussions, along with the feedback from the first phase of the consultation in 2025, will form an important part of the Board’s consideration, together with a wide range of other information, before any final decision is taken.
“Throughout the consultation, we have heard questions about what these proposals could mean for people needing urgent stroke treatment.
“I want to reiterate that if you think someone is having a stroke, you should seek help immediately by calling 999. Now, and in the future, patients will continue to be taken to the nearest appropriate hospital for urgent assessment and treatment. If specialist treatment such as a thrombectomy is needed, patients will continue to be transferred to specialist centres in Bristol or Cardiff.
“We have also heard concerns about travel and transfer arrangements during the consultation. Partnership working with the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust and other national providers remains an important part of this process. Any future transport arrangements will be carefully planned and modelled to support patients’ needs while protecting emergency ambulance capacity.”
All feedback received during the consultation will be collated and reviewed alongside responses gathered in 2025, the latest clinical evidence, data, and updated impact assessments.
Following this, a period of conscientious consideration will begin. This means taking time to carefully review and reflect on all feedback before any decisions are made. Conscientious consideration is based on the Gunning Principles, which set out how public consultation should be carried out fairly and lawfully. It is a process that takes place so that views shared during the consultation are properly considered.
A full report on the consultation findings will be available and shared as part of the November Board meeting, where a final decision on the future of stroke services will be made. Once a decision is made, work will start on an implementation plan, with changes likely to be phased to ensure services remain as safe as possible. Whichever option is chosen, people will continue to access stroke services in the same way they do today.
For more information about the stroke services consultation, noting the period of gathering views for the consultation has now closed, please visit the Health Board’s consultation webpages: https://hduhb.nhs.wales/stroke-consultation
Anyone who would like to receive updates about the consultation, including final reports, can join the involvement and engagement scheme Siarad Iechyd / Talking Health by emailing hyweldda.engagement@wales.nhs.uk, calling 0300 303 8322 (option 5), charged at local call rates, or writing to: FREEPOST HYWEL DDA HEALTH BOARD.
