Health

Ombudsman finds Health Board failed vulnerable epilepsy patients

Published

5 months ago

October 9, 2025

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has ruled that Hywel Dda University Health Board failed to provide adequate care for epilepsy patients with learning disabilities.

The finding follows a complaint by seven families whose loved ones relied on a specialist epilepsy service that was abruptly discontinued in June 2021. The families said the Health Board failed to make proper alternative arrangements — and, four years on, still has no clear plan to meet the needs of these highly vulnerable patients.

In upholding the complaint, the Ombudsman expressed concern at the Health Board’s ongoing failings, which have affected “a very vulnerable group of patients.”

Marie James, one of the mothers involved in the complaint, said she felt “relieved” by the Ombudsman’s findings and recommendations. Marie cares for her adult son, Trystan, who has a genetic disorder causing daily seizures and weekly tonic-clonic episodes.

She said: “Since June 2021, the Health Board has failed to provide access to appropriate healthcare for our loved ones with epilepsy and learning disabilities. We were left without signposting or direction — a total failure of service. It made us feel that the responsibility was completely on our shoulders to ensure our children received the best epilepsy care we could provide.”

Marie said she and the other mothers tried to engage constructively with the Health Board but found the responses “disheartening.”
“The seven of us mums know that, to a degree, we can advocate for our children,” she added. “But any one of us could face new or emergency situations tomorrow, or see our sons or daughters move into supported living environments. That’s the real fear driving us — to ensure there’s a service that meets the needs of all vulnerable adults with epilepsy and a learning disability.”

The Ombudsman made several recommendations, all of which the Health Board has accepted. It must now:

Establish a clear Learning Disability Epilepsy Care Pathway accessible to all patients in its area.
Provide written apologies to each of the seven complainants within two months, acknowledging the lack of communication and care planning following the service’s closure.
Conduct a full review of its learning disability epilepsy patient lists within four months to ensure every individual has an up-to-date care plan, risk assessment, and emergency medication plan — including those who have been missed or are still awaiting neurology appointments.

Jane Hanna, Director of Policy and Influencing at SUDEP Action, said:
“Our role was to stand alongside the families in their fight. We’re pleased the Ombudsman issued such strong recommendations with clear timelines and that our request for an independent expert to review the Health Board’s future actions was included in the final report.”

Marie added: “We’re greatly indebted to SUDEP Action. Trystan’s life has been enhanced because of their support, and his risks have been reduced.”

The full Ombudsman’s report will be available from October 9 at www.ombudsman.wales

Health

Plaid Cymru to hold public meeting over Withybush hospital surgery cuts

Published

8 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Candidates say residents must be heard after emergency services decision

PLAID CYMRU candidates for the Ceredigion Penfro constituency will host a public meeting in Pembrokeshire to discuss concerns over the future of services at Withybush Hospital.

The event will take place at 6:30pm on Monday (Mar 31) at Letterston Village Hall, giving residents the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns following Hywel Dda University Health Board’s decision last month to remove emergency general surgery from the hospital.

Campaigners say the move will force many patients requiring urgent treatment to travel further for care, raising fears about the potential impact on patient safety in rural west Wales.

Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru lead candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “Withybush is such an important hospital for the community and residents of Pembrokeshire. The decision to remove its emergency general surgery will severely weaken the life-saving capacity of this hospital.

“Plaid Cymru has long championed small rural hospitals such as Bronglais and Withybush. We need to ensure these hospitals remain strong local services within our communities. Withybush should have the basic life-saving and everyday treatment services it needs to function as a full general hospital.”

Kerry Ferguson, Plaid Cymru candidate for Pembrokeshire within the Ceredigion Penfro constituency, said the recent success of a public petition had demonstrated the strength of local feeling.

“It’s great to see that the online petition calling for Welsh Government intervention to restore emergency surgery and essential services at Withybush has reached its target, meaning it will now be debated in the Senedd,” she said.

“We are extremely disappointed by the Health Board’s decision to remove emergency general surgery at Withybush. Increased journey times for anyone in need of urgent medical treatment will put lives at risk. We need government intervention now to overturn this decision.”

Residents across Pembrokeshire have continued to raise concerns about the future of services at the hospital, which has long been a focal point in debates about healthcare provision in rural west Wales.

Health

Politicians seek legal advice over hospital decisions as petition passes 11,000 signatures

Published

13 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE’S two Members of the Senedd have written jointly to the Welsh Government’s Counsel General seeking legal advice on possible ways to challenge decisions made by Hywel Dda University Health Board affecting healthcare services in the county.

Paul Davies MS and Samuel Kurtz MS have asked the Counsel General, Julie James MS, to outline what legal mechanisms may exist to scrutinise or challenge the health board’s decision-making process, particularly in relation to changes impacting services at Withybush Hospital.

Their move comes amid growing concern from residents, clinicians and community groups about the impact of service changes on patient safety and access to care, especially in a rural county where travel times to alternative hospitals can be significant.

Public concern has also been reflected in a petition calling for intervention over the future of services at Withybush Hospital. The petition has now attracted more than 11,000 signatures and continues to gain support.

Having passed the required threshold, the petition can now be considered for debate in Senedd Cymru.

The two MSs say the level of public backing highlights the strength of feeling locally and the need for greater scrutiny of decisions being taken about healthcare provision.

Paul Davies MS said: “Residents across Pembrokeshire are deeply concerned about the cumulative impact that changes to healthcare services could have on patient safety and access to care in a rural area. The fact that more than 11,000 people have signed the petition highlights just how strongly people feel about this issue.”

Samuel Kurtz MS added: “People deserve confidence that decisions affecting vital healthcare services have been taken properly and with full consideration of the impact on local communities. We have therefore written to the Counsel General to seek advice on what legal avenues may exist to challenge these decisions and what powers the Welsh Government has to intervene where serious concerns have been raised.”

The MSs have also asked the Welsh Government to clarify what role it can play in reviewing or intervening where there are significant concerns about the governance and decision-making processes of a health board.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service to host bi-monthly Board meeting

Published

3 days ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE is preparing to host its bi-monthly Board meeting – and the public are invited.

Join the meeting on Thursday 26 March via Microsoft Teams to hear senior leaders cover a full agenda, including approval of the Integrated Medium-Term Plan for 2026-29, which outlines what the organisation will prioritise and deliver, how it will use its resources and how it will continue to improve care for the people of Wales over the next three years.

Board members will approve the initial revenue budget for the year ahead and receive an update on current financial performance.

The Board will also hear from Mr Clarke from Cwmbran, who describes an experience of trying to access help via 999 for his late father who was terminally ill.

There will also be an opportunity to pose a question to the Board.

Chair Colin Dennis said: “Board meetings give you the opportunity to really get to know our ambulance service, with a clear view of how important decisions are shaped and the processes behind them.

“They also create a forum to hear directly about ongoing work, explore how we can strengthen support for the Trust’s staff and patients, and connect with the people responsible for shaping those decisions.”

Click here to watch the Board meeting on Thursday 26 March 2026 from 9.30am.

This link will be active from 10 minutes before the meeting starts.

To pre-submit a question, please email [email protected] by no later than Wednesday 25 March 2026.An agenda will be available on the Trust’s website in the days prior to the meeting.