AM highlights knock on SCBU effect (From Western Telegraph)

So what happens when a baby has to be transfered to Carmarthen and the roads are blocked with snow and the baby is unable to go in the helicopter?

Tina, your views and concerns are shared by many and this closure does not make any sense at all. The unit that should close is the one in Carmarthen and that is what the staff and other health professional are saying. There is no doubt that deaths of mothers and young babies will increase, not because of road closures but purely because of the distance and travel time to Carmarthen from places like St Davids, Dale and Angle for example. I expect that the long range planning of this Hylwe Ddada Health Board has already identified the likely number of additional and acceptable deaths but they will not publish this data of course as it would be too controversial.

Well let us hope that if God forbid a death of a newborn should happen because they were not able to get to a unit quick enough the parents sue Hywel Dda.

I am sure that the committed staff at Withybush will ensure that any baby is stable before being transferred to another hospital, providing there is space to care for a child. If not, what happens then? Does a baby have to be transported to a hospital 100 miles away.

With regard to the MIU closures, I note from our rights as a patient that there is no mention of a right to choose which hospital treats us, seems Wales do not implement this as done in England.

What we need to do here is demand travel costs if any of us have to attend clinics out of the county or if treatment cannot be treated at our local GP surgeries. These costs are offered to those on low income or benefits and in order to be treated 'equally' this needs to be changed as we will indeed be treated less favourably and discriminated against in terms of our rights to healthcare!

Rockface wrote:
I am sure that the committed staff at Withybush will ensure that any baby is stable before being transferred to another hospital, providing there is space to care for a child. If not, what happens then? Does a baby have to be transported to a hospital 100 miles away.

With regard to the MIU closures, I note from our rights as a patient that there is no mention of a right to choose which hospital treats us, seems Wales do not implement this as done in England.

What we need to do here is demand travel costs if any of us have to attend clinics out of the county or if treatment cannot be treated at our local GP surgeries. These costs are offered to those on low income or benefits and in order to be treated 'equally' this needs to be changed as we will indeed be treated less favourably and discriminated against in terms of our rights to healthcare!

Of course they will make sure the baby is fit to travel but anything can happen and 30+ miles to travel is a long way when you are poorly.

As someone who worked for the NHS I know just how quickly a patients health can deteriorate.

Travel costs is a good idea especially when you are forced to take a taxi home in the middle of the night and it costs £30.

I think travel costs are available for some if they have to attend certain clinics.

Tina2 wrote:

Rockface wrote:
I am sure that the committed staff at Withybush will ensure that any baby is stable before being transferred to another hospital, providing there is space to care for a child. If not, what happens then? Does a baby have to be transported to a hospital 100 miles away.

With regard to the MIU closures, I note from our rights as a patient that there is no mention of a right to choose which hospital treats us, seems Wales do not implement this as done in England.

What we need to do here is demand travel costs if any of us have to attend clinics out of the county or if treatment cannot be treated at our local GP surgeries. These costs are offered to those on low income or benefits and in order to be treated 'equally' this needs to be changed as we will indeed be treated less favourably and discriminated against in terms of our rights to healthcare!

Of course they will make sure the baby is fit to travel but anything can happen and 30+ miles to travel is a long way when you are poorly.

As someone who worked for the NHS I know just how quickly a patients health can deteriorate.

Travel costs is a good idea especially when you are forced to take a taxi home in the middle of the night and it costs £30.

I think travel costs are available for some if they have to attend certain clinics.

Every year I have to take my grandson to Cardiff on a 200 mile round trip. Last time we were there we were with the consultant less than five minutes and he said all was OK and will see my grandson same time next year. This could have easily been done over the telephone as there was no examination, just face-to-face chat.
We as patients need to vote with our feet regarding travel costs... I feel for those with sick babies having to go out of county but what can we do? Not having a choice is wrong. Seems the consultation process was a sham and token as the decision was already made at the outset.

I think you are all getting this wrong and not hearing what Mrs Burns is saying. She understands the significance of the SCBU and all of the support services. Once SCBU is gone then all other children's services will go - paediatrics, obstetrics and ultimately our A & E at the Withybush Hospital. We should not be arguing about travel costs - that is not important in the bigger scheme of things. In the last few weeks Pembrokeshire has been isolated for hours and even days on end - first the snow, then the floods, and yesterday with road accidents. Wake up and fight before its all gone to Carmarthen,and ask yourself was this consultation a sham or a genuine attempt to listen to the public ??

Honest Local wrote:
I think you are all getting this wrong and not hearing what Mrs Burns is saying. She understands the significance of the SCBU and all of the support services. Once SCBU is gone then all other children's services will go - paediatrics, obstetrics and ultimately our A & E at the Withybush Hospital. We should not be arguing about travel costs - that is not important in the bigger scheme of things. In the last few weeks Pembrokeshire has been isolated for hours and even days on end - first the snow, then the floods, and yesterday with road accidents. Wake up and fight before its all gone to Carmarthen,and ask yourself was this consultation a sham or a genuine attempt to listen to the public ??

I don't think we are getting anything wrong. Travel costs are an issue to some people and important, particularly if they cannot afford to get to hospital or make their way back home.. I am wide awake on the bigger scheme of things and have already said the consultation was a sham and the participation of the people of Pembrokesire was completely token.

Maybe if we all voted with our feet with regard to travelling elsewhere and demand to be reimbursed (as we have no choice in this) the costs to the NHS would be significant and may outweigh services being provided in other counties or regions.

I hear what Mrs Burns is saying but feel it's a bit late in the day for this input!