A judicial review it was hoped would stall health board plans to remove a number for services for women and children from Withybush Hospital has failed.

Justice Hickinbottom, who heard the four day judicial review last month into the processes carried out by Hywel Dda Health Board in its preparation of plans for service centralisation at Glangwili, handed down his verdict this morning.

He had also heard arguments relating to Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital as well as examining the Health Minister’s role in the changes.

Lead campaigner Dr Chris Overton, chairman of SWAT, said: “We must remember that this is not an endorsement of the Health Board and Health Ministers plans for service change. It was simply a legal argument on whether the Health Board followed the rules and on the powers of the Health Minister.”

He is encouraging residents to now start writing to the Human Rights and Equality Commission.