PLANS to 'transform' mental health services across west Wales could see Pembrokeshire lose two speciality doctors, the Western Telegraph can exclusively confirm.

The county’s mental health team could be slashed by a third, with the loss of a consultant and speciality doctor, under Hywel Dda health board’s proposed shake-up of services.

The board is currently looking at whether some urgent care services can be centralised in Carmarthen and Llanelli, as part of its Transforming Mental Health (TMH) consultation.

But following a two-week investigation by the Western Telegraph, it has come to light that the changes could result in the loss of senior mental health jobs in Pembrokeshire totalling £206,000.

In an initial 700-word response to this paper, the health board said the “proposed co-designed consensus model will ensure the service model meet our local population needs” and would mean enhanced 24/7 community provision.

The statement said Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion would “have the same number of crisis and recovery beds”, with appropriate staffing levels to deliver a “more joined up and holistic service model that will improve access and timely responsiveness at the time of need”.

Lengthy quotes from two consultants working in Pembrokeshire were also included, the first of whom applauded the “transparent and professional” TMH process.

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The second said the “impressive” extent to which the public had been involved in setting the TMH agenda was among the reasons they were attracted to working in the area.

However, the statement failed to address concerns over the potential loss of jobs.

Despite repeated requests, the health board failed to clarify the situation regarding the consultant and specialist doctor roles.

Finally, after 11 emails and two phone calls, the health board confirmed both posts are under threat in the current plans.

A spokesman added: “It is important to stress at this stage that this is just a proposal, and is aimed at delivering a more agile service in the future with a more flexible and diverse workforce, introducing new roles and changing existing roles for the future.

“The purpose of the Transforming Mental Health consultation is to ask people for their opinions on the proposals that we have jointly designed that meet the needs of our services users, their carers, friends and families.”

Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies said he was “deeply concerned” the plans could mean much-needed and valued services were centralised away from Pembrokeshire.

“This will mean that patients living with some mental health conditions will have to travel further afield for treatments and therapies and that is simply unacceptable,” he said.

“The proposals could mean that the local community mental health team will be cut, leaving vulnerable people without local access to important services.

“The health board has a record of removing local health services from the area and that has to stop.

"We need to see first-class health services continuing to be delivered in Pembrokeshire.

“I will of course be feeding into the consultation process and I urge everyone in Pembrokeshire to do the same.”

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Dr John Morgan, chairman of the local health watchdog, Hywel Dda Community Health Council, said: “We are disappointed to hear the health board wasn’t able to answer this newspaper’s questions effectively.

“As the statutory patient watchdog, we are really keen for people to get involved in this consultation.

“Over the last two years we have seen the Health Board, mental health charities and service users come together, to talk about how services need to improve in Hywel Dda.

“Now that the proposals are set out in the consultation, people need absorb what is being said, and ask any questions they may have.

“If they feel the changes will bring better care, or if they feel the changes don’t measure up, then they must make their views heard.

“We’ll be listening and want to understand those views when we respond to the Health Board in September.

“If anyone else feels they haven’t had clear answers we’d be pleased to assist them to get the information they need.”

According to charity Mind, one in four people will experience a mental health problem in the next year.

To have your say on the plans, visit the health board's website or Facebook page.

A public event at Crundale Hall, near Haverfordwest, on July 19, is already fully booked, according the health board's website.

West Wales Action for Mental Health (WWAMH) is also holding an open forum to discuss the plans on Tuesday, July 25.

It will take place in the Balcony Room of the Queen's Hall, Narberth, between 10.30am and 1pm.

The closing date for responses is September 15.