THE people have spoken – and unsurprisingly most of those in Pembrokeshire do not want to see Withybush Hospital downgraded.

Locals have called for ‘another alternative’ to be put forward by Hywel Dda Health Board, which this week released results from its Big NHS Change consultation.

The board’s current three options for the future of health care across the region – all of which would see Withybush downgraded to a community hospital – have prompted fierce opposition from those concerned at the potential loss of in-county A&E services.

THE OPTIONS

Proposal A would see Withybush, Glangwili and Prince Philip become community hospitals, with a new urgent and planned care (UPC) hospital build between Narberth and St Clears.

Proposal B would also see a new UPC hospital built near the county border, while Prince Philip and Bronglais would remain as general hospitals.

Proposal C involved separating planned and urgent care across two sites (Glangwili and a new hospital), while Bronglais and Prince Phillip remain the same.

WHAT PEOPLE SAID

A 420-page report, compiled by Opinion Research Services (ORS) shows there “widespread support” for the board’s proposals to separate planned and urgent care, with some support for the 'principle’ of building a new hospital.

But two thirds (66 per cent) of those who completed the consultation questionnaire disagreed with the proposed 'between Narberth and St Clears' location.

Almost half of NHS staff and residents who attended workshops also disagreed with the location.

“This represents the highest levels of disagreement to any of the proposals from individual respondents, workshop residents and NHS staff,” said the report.

Comments included: “There’s one road through St Clears and Narberth. If there’s an accident, how the hell are you going to get there?” and “It is already enough of a journey to Haverfordwest in an emergency if you are in Dale or St Davids so to add the travel to Whitland at best and maybe even further means fatalities will be greater.”

All questionnaire respondents were also allowed to make general comments.

Of the 1,584 who did so, the most common request (24 per cent) was to ‘retain A&E/not downgrade Withybush’.

The issue of transport was also raised, with people concerned about the existing pressure on ambulances, and a lack of public transport.

Doctors at Glangwili and Carmarthen Town Council said a new hospital should be built in Carmarthen, with the latter stating land was available at the showground.

But staff at Withybush said a new hospital should be built in Pembrokeshire, given the remoteness of its coastal communities.

There were also questions over whether building a new hospital in an area with very little infrastructure would really attract the number of new doctors needed, and whether lower paid staff would be able to travel to a remote area.

“I don’t think a site in Whitland will recruit loads of new staff – it’s in the middle of nowhere,” said one person.

MATERNITY SERVICES

Moving maternity services west could also have a knock-on effect on Glangwili Hospital.

At a consultant paediatric meeting, it was said: “Potentially we might lose the births as in Glangwili - 2700 deliveries are delivered which is a significant number.

“The proposal could impact the birth rates below the number needed which is 2,500 for a level 2 which might have a knock-on effect to the service we provided.”

CALLS FOR 'ANOTHER OPTION'

ORS said, overall, proposals A and B had stronger support that proposal C, adding: “It seems likely that the Health Board should not seek to pursue Proposal C any further, and instead should now focus their attention on the other two proposals.”

However, it said it was “important to recognise that there is very strong public support for “another alternative” across many parts of Pembrokeshire, with proposals typically involving the retention of existing services and/or enhancing the services provided at Withybush Hospital”.

“Feedback from some staff and stakeholders endorses the Health Board’s proposals for Withybush becoming a community hospital, and it may well be that the proposals are the best way forward despite the public feedback received during the consultation,” it continued.

“However, given the strength of feeling that is evident, careful consideration should be given to the points of view put forward by local residents about the provision of healthcare services for the area.”