HYWEL Dda University Health Board has said it is committed to maintaining a 24-7 emergency department at Withybush Hospital.

The comments came as the Health Board plans to hold its next public board meeting in the grounds of Withybush, with a special focus on the Haverfordwest hospital.

It is part of the University Health Board’s approach to holding Board meetings within hospital grounds – rotating across the area – whenever possible.

Regular papers will be considered but there will be a particular focus on how healthcare services are being developed at Withybush Hospital, what the challenges are, and how staff feel about working at the hospital and its future.

Following the meeting, Executive Directors will take a walk around the site to speak directly to staff and see care in action across the wards and departments that make up Pembrokeshire’s main hospital.

Chief Executive Steve Moore explained: “We acknowledge the real concern in the community for the future of Withybush Hospital – we heard it loud and clear at our recent engagement events. And for our staff too, they have been working in an environment where there have been particular challenges in recent months – from workforce shortages to periods of high patient activity and alongside service change.

"As a Board we take this extremely seriously and that is why we are coming to Withybush Hospital for our next meeting to really focus and see for ourselves what it is really like in the hospital.

“There is no doubt this Health Board is fully committed to the future of the hospital – on numerous occasions we have reiterated our commitment to maintaining a 24/7 Emergency Department at the site. But whilst we don’t underestimate the challenges, we do not believe those challenges to be insurmountable and we are taking action. This includes innovative recruitment campaigns and re-modelling of services and some clinical roles to ensure they attract high calibre candidates to the area.

“We are working with our staff and community groups to build what we all want – a secure and bright future for Withybush Hospital and the population it serves.”

Members of the public and staff are encourage to attend the meeting, which is being held at 9.30am on Thursday 28 May in the Conference Centre.