Aim is “retain as many services as we can at Withybush and Glangwili” says Hywel Dda UHB

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council’s social care overview and scrutiny committee heard from Hywel Dda Health Board’s chairman Maria Battle, strategic development director Lee Davies and deputy chief executive Phil Kloer this week about the implications of the proposed new hospital in West Wales.

Mr Davies told members on Thursday (September 8) that the health board proposals are designed to retain as many services as possible, as close as possible to patients, by boosting integrated care centres and similar hubs  and to “retain as many services as we can at Withybush and Glangwili.”

He added that overall “only true emergencies and specialist surgeries” will be provided at the new hospital – that has not yet been given the green light by Welsh Government when it comes to funding.

Ms Battle added that West Wales had been overlooked for investment for many years and “it’s our turn in the west to get this investment” with the council and health board able to “work together to get more services in Pembrokeshire and to have a new hospital that we deserve.”

The committee were told that Withybush will have a “key role in providing a huge range of really important services for the local population” both while the new hospital is developed and when it opens – with a potential deadline of 2029.

Further consultation work was due to start in January, Mr Davies added, and it was agreed that councillors would be an important part of that especially when it comes to improving transport links and infrastructure.

Ms Battle added: “We are not planning to take services away in this intervening period but we do recognise that some of the services are fragile.”

Discussions were prompted by a Notice of Motion from Cllr John Cole calling on the council to “stand with our electorate in supporting the fight to retain services essential to the health and well-being of residents.”

Professor Kloer said the “basic premise” of the motion the health board would agree with, “our efforts are all based on trying to maintain as many services as possible close to peoples’ homes.”

The committee agreed to recommend to full council that they consider transport and planning to be a “source of cooperation and collaboration with the health board.”

Chairman Cllr David Bryan said: “We need to do this as a council and the health board need to work constructively with us to see the most benefit for the people of Pembrokeshire.”

Please donate here: Support Carmarthenshire News Online Thank you for supporting independent journalism and contributing to the future of local news in Carmarthenshire. Carmarthenshire News Online has been dedicated to providing unbiased and trustworthy news, free from commercial or political influence. By donating as little as £1, you can help ensure the continuation of this important source of information for the community. Your contribution will have a significant impact on the sustainability of independent journalism. If you're looking to enhance your brand's visibility, we also offer advertising opportunities on our Livestream and podcasts. Our special offers provide excellent value for reaching our engaged audience. To learn more about these opportunities and to discuss your advertising needs, please feel free to call or text us at 07308598604. Thank you again for your support, and together we can ensure the availability of quality local news for Carmarthenshire and beyond.

Please donate here: Support Carmarthenshire News Online

You cannot copy any content of this page