Carmarthen Journal

Councillor­s raise concerns over new hospital plan

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THE health board should “abandon” its plans for a new West Wales hospital, a councillor has urged, as members back a motion calling for support of retaining services “essential to the health and well-being of residents.”

Cllr David Howlett said on Thursday that given the performanc­e of Wales’ only “super hospital” in the east of the country, Pembrokesh­ire residents would potentiall­y be “getting a worse service” after travelling further to a new, larger, hospital.

Cllr Howlett said he would “call on the health board to abandon their plans for this, given the concerns it has for the people of Pembrokesh­ire.”

He, and others at full council, said a focus on improving and maintainin­g services in Withybush was required. Carmarthen’s Glangwili Hospital will also undergo changes as part of the shake-up.

Cllr Howlett also highlighte­d concerns raised about funding for the plan. But Cllr Reg Owens argued that realistica­lly, people are “never going to have all the health services you need on your doorstep.” The Notice of Motion put forward by Cllr Jon Coles followed a councillor seminar with the Hywel Dda Health Board.

The main issues related to seeking assurance of access to services and transport links, with the committee deciding it agreed with sentiments of the NOM and that a recommenda­tion to council be made that “it considers transport and planning to be the source of collaborat­ion and co-operation with the Health Board; and that the Health Board needs to work constructi­vely with the council to see the most benefit to the people of Pembrokesh­ire.”

 ?? CARMARTHEN JOURNAL ?? The new West Wales hospital will mean Glangwili, pictured, and Withybush hospitals will be repurposed. Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital and Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyt­h would also be modernised.
CARMARTHEN JOURNAL The new West Wales hospital will mean Glangwili, pictured, and Withybush hospitals will be repurposed. Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital and Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyt­h would also be modernised.
 ?? ?? Prince Philip Hospital.
Prince Philip Hospital.
 ?? ?? Withybush Hospital.
Withybush Hospital.

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