‘PEOPLE should have a voice!'

That was the argument of a councillor wanting a debate on a Notice of Motion calling for Hywel Dda University Health Board to be put in special measures.

The Health Board is trying to push through plans for a new hospital that would see Withybush Hospital downgraded - including losing it's multi-million pound A&E department - although where that new hospital would be, how much it would cost and how long it would take to build is still unknown.

Pembroke Dock member Cllr Paul Dowson submitted a motion that: “Pembrokeshire County Council formally recommends to the Health Minister of the Welsh Government that he puts Hywel Dda University Health Board into special measures.”

He added at full council on Thursday, December 13: “I think this is a very important issue for the people of Pembrokeshire and should not just be brushed off to scrutiny, I think full council should debate it.

“The public have been to Hywel Dda themselves, they have protested and Hywel Dda haven’t listened so in a last ditch they have come to us.”

This was reiterated by Cllr Jon Harvey who added: “We represent the people, we are elected, the health board isn’t.”

Cllr Simon Hancock, who declared an interest as a member of the Hywel Dda board, said debating the matter at full council was an “act of populism” and was inappropriate without all the relevant papers.

It was agreed that the notice be sent to partnerships overview and scrutiny for further discussion.