Pembrokeshire patients needing specialist hospital treatment could face a 30-mile trip to Carmarthen according to a sensational leaked NHS document.

The confidential Hywel Dda Health Board draft document, exclusively obtained by the Western Telegraph this week, outlines proposals to centralise some services in Carmarthen, including acute paediatrics in patient care, intensive care and consultant led obstetric services.

Withybush would then be labelled a Rural General Hospital.

Critics say the plans are a “blatant rewrite of previous proposals” which were met with fierce opposition four years ago.

The health board denies this, and has provided the Western Telegraph with an updated document. They say planning is still in the early stages, and nothing has yet been decided.

The first document also refers to a staggering 25% reduction in beds in the region, and a 1,200 reduction of the workforce to save £100m.

The health board says the latest updated document no longer refers to Withybush becoming downgraded to a Rural General Hospital, but there would be extra investment in primary and community services to treat people closer to home.

Centralised services would mean patients are treated by professionals with the best expertise.

Concerns have already been voiced over the perception that Withybush will function as a supporting hospital to a revamped District General in Carmarthen.

Former Community Health Council (CHC) chairman Chris Roberts was involved in the consultation process during previous proposals to downgrade Withybush.

She said: “It’s virtually identical to what was proposed then.

“The death of one man, woman or child during a journey of up to an hour-and-a-half to receive a consultant led service will be one too many.”

She added: “What doesn’t make sense is the choice of Carmarthen as the hub.”

“It’s a huge, huge shock. They are trying to sneak it through during the quiet holiday period,” she added, referring to the August/ September consultation time.

“They should be forced to have a proper patient engagement over a significant period. There are a lot of informed people in Pembrokeshire and this is treating them with contempt.

“We do not want a glorified cottage hospital at Withybush.”