Thousands call for A&E to be saved
MORE than 24,000 people have signed a new petition against the closure of the 24-hour A&E at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
A recommendation to keep the 24-hour department is going before a meeting of Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board on Monday.
The latest petition, by the Campaign to Save Royal Glamorgan Hospital A&E, shows the strength of feeling in support of the facility near Llantristant.
The board is expected to reject the two options which would have seen the department have its hours reduced or shut and turned into a minor injuries unit.
Success with recruiting consultants and other A&E staff, and new ways of working which have been implemented during the coronavirus pandemic, are understood to have significantly addressed previous safety concerns.
Len Arthur, chair of the campaign group, praised the community’s role in saving the A&E, adding: “It has been absolutely central to the campaign.
“There would not have been a campaign had there not been a huge up swell of support right across the Cwm Taf health board area and also support in Cardiff from people concerned about their A&E. It has been a crucial piece of the jigsaw.”
The campaign started in January and within five days it had a Facebook page with thousands of members.
Len added: “If you look at the report that is going to the board on Monday, many of the points we have made directly as a campaign but also that the community has made through engagement meetings that board officers were having, are relaid in that report. It is clear that the voice of the community has been heard. In all my experience of campaigning I have never seen anything quite like this.”
There have been discussions about setting up a new partnership panel to keep the board informed on community views.
Len added: “They (the health board) have to be congratulated for that really. We did notice that there was a clear change in what they were saying as meetings progressed..
Dr Nick Lyons, medical director of Cwm Taf Morgannwg, said: “Our teams have been working extremely hard to make significant changes to the emergency department and supporting services at Royal Glamorgan Hospital ....
“These changes mean the historical and recent safety concerns in the department have been significantly addressed and the quality of service continues to improve. I would like to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of our staff for these achievements.
“We have also listened to our communities, who have been very clear about how much they value the emergency department at Royal Glamorgan Hospital. Their views and experiences have been vital in informing and shaping our work.
“While there is much to do, our teams remain committed to building on the progress which has been made. We will also be working in partnership with our communities to develop and design minor injury and illness services so they are accessible and used appropriately for their needs.
“In light of these very positive developments, which will continue to improve safety within our services, the board will be asked at its meeting next week to reject further development of the two options which had been put forward and for a commitment to the ongoing, long-term, delivery of emergency medicine services through a 24/7 consultant-led emergency department at Royal Glamorgan Hospital.”