Picture: Google Street View.
Pembrokeshire councillors are to discuss an online plea for them to champion “lifeline for the community” Withybush hospital.
A Save Withybush Campaign Group e-petition on the county council’s website attracted more than 500 signatures in its first day after being lodged on November 9.
Petitions with 100 to 499 signatures trigger a debate by an overview and scrutiny committee, while those with more than 500 go before the full council.
The petition calls on Pembrokeshire County Council “to take a firm, unequivocal and public stand to protect Withybush Hospital, restore services that have been lost or downgraded, retain all existing services and defend access to essential healthcare across Pembrokeshire”.
It asks the council to “demonstrate leadership, challenge decisions that threaten local healthcare and take meaningful, measurable action to secure the long-term future of Withybush Hospital and the services our communities depend upon”.
It adds: “Our message is clear – Pembrokeshire cannot afford to lose any more essential healthcare services.
“Withybush Hospital is a lifeline for Pembrokeshire. Our rural geography, long travel distances, limited public transport options and dependence on timely emergency treatment make accessible local healthcare essential, not optional.
“Our county’s healthcare needs cannot be assessed by looking at permanent resident numbers alone. Pembrokeshire welcomes an estimated 6.3 million visitors annually; experiences substantial seasonal population increases and supports major industrial operations.
“Tourism, refinery workforces, other industrial activity and cruise ship arrivals all contribute to the changing demands on our infrastructure, emergency services and healthcare provision.
“These pressures must be properly recognised in every assessment of the capacity, staffing and resources Pembrokeshire needs.
“We expect our elected representatives to stand up for Pembrokeshire, challenge decisions where necessary and demand answers from those responsible for our health services.
“Withybush Hospital is a lifeline for our community. Its future must not be determined without proper scrutiny, meaningful public engagement and an unwavering commitment to patient safety.
“We therefore call on Pembrokeshire County Council to demonstrate leadership, represent the strength of public concern and take concrete, measurable action to secure the restoration of lost services, the retention of existing services and the long-term protection of Withybush Hospital.
“Pembrokeshire deserves answers. Patients deserve safety. Our services must be restored and protected. Our community and county deserve action now.”
The petition is open until January 9.
