Crowds turn out for Withybush demonstration (From Western Telegraph)
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Crowds turn out for Withybush demonstration
4:45pm Wednesday 29th August 2012 in News
Mothers campaigning to save the Special Care Baby Unit were amongst those demonstrating
More than 100 people attended the latest demonstration against cuts to services at Withybush Hospital today (Wednesday).
Organised by the Save Withybush Action Team (SWAT), the protest included a group of mothers campaigning for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) to be saved.
SWAT Chairman Dr Chris Overton said he was very pleased with the turn out.
He added:"The reason we call the public consultation one thousands pages of deceit is because its making the wrong decisions for completely the wrong reasons.
"Where as this preferred option would give people in east Carmarthen a lot of choice, at Glangwili, Llanelli, Morriston and Singleton it will leave people of Pembrokeshire without a choice."
A statement from the Hywel Dda Health Board said: "We recognise the enthusiasm and passion that has been shown for the NHS and there are many different ways in which people can get involved and give their views- from attending one of public events to visiting our online resource.
"We will not take risks with – nor compromise - the safety of our children and babies. However, currently none of our Special Care Baby Units fully comply with British Association for Perinatal Medicine guidelines and All Wales Neonatal Standards.
"It is also important to stress that Withybush Hospital will retain the ability to stabilise and transfer mothers and babies. There will still be obstetric doctors for mothers and paediatric doctors and highly trained paediatric nursing staff for babies at the hospital. In addition local people will have access to an overall higher level of care than they currently have through the new units."
People are encouraged to take part in the Hywel dda consultation itself and add their thoughts at www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consultation .
Pembrokeshire's first health board public meeting will be on Thursday, September 20th at Sir Thomas Picton School, 7pm to 9pm.
There is also an online petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-the-scbu-a t-withybush-hospital
