We should resist threat (From Western Telegraph)

We should resist threat

11:56am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in Letters

THANK you for continuing to report on the Hywel Dda Health Board proposals.

Interestingly, our problems are mirrored elsewhere, with the South Wales Programme proposing to halve their number of critical-care hospitals.

We should resist the highvisibility threat to Withybush SCBU, because cuts would endanger our children, but it may be diverting attention from deeper problems.

The general Hywel Dda proposals would leave Withybush progressively vulnerable to further cuts, so that Pembrokeshire health services risk being sucked into the South Wales system despite travel times or other incompatibilities.

Very expensive specialist facilities may need rationalising, but Pembrokeshire does require a comprehensive health service particularly for general A&E and for very young children and the elderly – the groups most vulnerable to journey hazards.

The Hywel Dda structure itself seems ill-matched to local needs, as shown by these proposals, and perhaps it should be broken up into more appropriate smaller units.

DAVID REDD Bulford Road Johnston