Pie in the sky (From Western Telegraph)

Pie in the sky

12:11pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in Letters

CONGRATULATIONS to the Western Telegraph for posing some very succinct questions to Hywel Dda Health Board about the impact of the proposed closure of the SCBU at Withybush. The replies (or lack of) raise as many questions as they answer. For example: • Would the consultant in a ‘consultant-led paediatric team’ be on site, or ‘leading’ from Carmarthen at the end of a telephone?

• What happens to the mother or baby who cannot be stabilised for the 40 minute plus journey to Carmarthen? (Assuming an appropriate ambulance is immediately available to make the journey.) • Given that the Welsh Ambulance Service already struggles to cope at certain times, how can you guarantee that they will cope with the increased demand?

• Given that this is supposed to be a period of consultation, why are posts in paediatrics and obstetrics already being advertised for Glangwili?

Are we really prepared to be the ‘collateral damage’ when the Health Board implements an inappropriate model of centralisation in Carmarthenshire?

However good the facilities are ‘up the line,’ it is pie in the sky if they are too far away to access safely. I would urge everyone to turn out for the meeting at Sir Thomas Picton School at 7pm on Thursday night to stand up for our local hospital.

HEATHER SCAMMELL Castle High Haverfordwest