Proposals on health boards make sense

I WAS very interested, and slightly surprised, to read an article (Western Mail, September 20) regarding the proposal to transfer Princess of Wales Hospital and Maesteg Hospital, plus other health centres, GP services etc, from ABMU Health Board to Cwm Taf board.

In terms of geography, it makes sense to me, and talking to a number of people, most agree it is logical.

Bridgend has always been classed as South EAST Wales, has a CF postcode, is now one of 10 council areas in the Cardiff City Region, and in most cases faces eastward in outlook.

The neighbouring counties of Neath Port Talbot (NPT) and Swansea are in South WEST Wales, have SA postcodes, and I have thought it rather odd for many years that ABMU should straddle this natural division.

With Swansea and NPT, plus Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire forming the Swansea Bay Region, the health boundary would be out of line.

As a former NHS employee, and also several times a patient too, I have nothing but praise for the dedication of staff. Doubtless some will disagree, but I feel the proposal should go ahead, as Bridgend hospitals could then work more closely with the Royal Glamorgan Hospital just down the road.

The Cwm Taf board would then follow the old Mid Glamorgan boundary with Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf. Rhodri Evans Morriston, Swansea