Thousands sign petition against A&E changes
NEARLY 9,000 people have signed a petition to try to stop the Royal Glamorgan Hospital’s accident and emergency department being closed or downgraded.
It means that as so many signatures have been collected, the matter will be automatically considered for a debate at a meeting of the full Welsh Assembly.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board unveiled plans last month which involve either shutting the emergency department entirely or only opening it during the day.
However, there has been significant opposition to the proposals from community members, staff and politicians of all parties.
The e-petition, which was created on January 30, states: “There are serious concerns that a closure or partial closure of A&E services at Royal Glamorgan Hospital could be taking place very soon.
“This will have a significant impact on access to A&E for patients in Rhondda Cynon Taff and will also put additional pressures on A&E departments in Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff and Bridgend.
“The Welsh Government should intervene and do all it can to prevent any reduction of service in the provision of A&E services at Royal Glamorgan Hospital and do all it can to facilitate the recruitment and appointment of badly-needed A&E consultants to the health board.”
The long-term future of the hospital’s A&E department has been in doubt since the South Wales Programme was first published in 2013.
The broad medical argument is that highly specialised services, such as emergency medicine, would be better provided at a concentrated number of hospitals in the region.
The Royal Glamorgan has already lost its consultant-led maternity services as a result of the programme.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board claims the plans to downgrade A&E have been introduced now as there is a dire shortage of consultant cover, which could make services unsafe.
Its one remaining consultant is set to retire at the end of March, leaving the emergency department run entirely by locums.
However, the health board has confirmed that a job advert for a consultant in emergency medicine – paying between £77,779 and £100,977 per year – is now being advertised.
It also confirmed that there would be no job losses as a result of the proposed changes.
Commenting on the petition, a spokeswoman for the health board said: “We take our responsibility to deliver safe services with the utmost seriousness, which is why we are having to look at these proposals for our emergency department.
“We also recognise the strength of feeling within our communities about these proposals and we will continue to make sure there are opportunities to hear their views while putting patient safety and quality first.
“We are organising and attending a range of events in the coming weeks so we can have conversations with the community and listen to any ideas, suggestions and concerns.”