Fears for mothers and babies is focus of meeting about future healthcare plans (From Western Telegraph)
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Withybush Hospital's future discussed at Haverfordwest
9:50am Friday 21st September 2012 in News
Crowds gathered at Sir Thomas Picton for Hywel Dda's public meeting
Pembrokeshire residents came out in force last night at a Hywel Dda Health Board public meeting to discuss healthcare changes in the area.
Between 400 and 500 residents attended the first meeting in Pembrokeshire to ask questions about the Your Health, Your Future consultation document launched by the health board last month.
The majority of questions from the audience focused on women and children's health, in particular the removal of the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) which is strongly objected to.
The preferred health board option is to develop a neo-natal level 2 unit at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen and the audience heard that this unit would not require specialist neonatologists but paediatricians with an interest in neo-natology.
There are no level 2 units within Hywel Dda and the new unit would cut travel times to Swansea and improve care across the area, said the health board.
The plans were attacked by local assembly members and Stephen Crabb MP, with a call for greater transparency made.
Fears over accident and emergency care were also discussed with assurances given that the provision at Withybush Hospital will remain the same.
It was also made clear the hip and knee operations will contiue at Withybush while a new unit at Prince Phillip Hospital, Llanelli will become a centre for more complicated operations.
The high number of questions meant that Minor Injury Unit provision was discussed only briefly with people remaining concerned at the loss of Tenby and South Pembs cottage hospitals.
The Health Board consultation runs until October 29th and residents are urged to have their say via its website www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk.
Or write a letter to the health board at: FREEPOST HYWEL DDA HEALTH BOARD, email the health board at hyweldda.engagement@wales.nhs.uk or leave your comments on the telephone answer machine 01437 771232.
*For a full report of the meeting see next week's Western Telegraph
