POLITICIANS in the Senedd have voted in favour of legislation that could allow assisted dying services to be provided through the Welsh NHS in future, marking what ministers described as an “unusual constitutional moment” for Wales.

Members of the Senedd voted 28 in favour, 23 against, with two abstentions, to give consent to elements of a UK bill currently progressing through Parliament that would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales for terminally ill adults.

The vote does not itself make assisted dying legal. The proposed law is still being scrutinised in Westminster and remains some distance from becoming law, with more than 1,000 amendments tabled during its passage through the House of Lords.

However, the Senedd’s decision means that — if the legislation is ultimately approved by the UK Parliament — Welsh ministers would have the authority to establish assisted dying services within NHS Wales.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles told members the vote represented a rare constitutional situation because assisted dying itself is not devolved to Wales, but the delivery of health services is.

He said the debate had been approached with “care” and recognition of the seriousness of the issue, adding that without the motion the Senedd would have had no opportunity to express a view on how services might operate in Wales.

The motion also included a Plaid Cymru amendment criticising what was described as a lack of thorough consideration by Westminster of the constitutional implications for Wales.

Divided political opinion

The debate revealed deep divisions across parties.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar opposed the motion, arguing the legislation effectively sanitised what he described as “assisted suicide” and warning about the ethical implications for medical professionals.

Others supported the measure on practical grounds rather than principle. Labour MS Julie Morgan said failing to approve the motion could leave Wales without access to services if the law changed elsewhere.

She told the chamber that only a small number of people would likely seek assisted dying, but that access should not depend on whether someone could afford private care.

Plaid Cymru politicians also expressed mixed views. Former party leader Adam Price said the Senedd had been placed in an “invidious position” but argued withholding consent would not prevent assisted dying — only risk a private-sector-only system.

Meanwhile, some MSs raised concerns about vulnerable people feeling pressured to end their lives, while others warned about the potential impact on palliative care services and the doctor-patient relationship.

Reform UK’s James Evans abstained, saying he supported the principle of assisted dying but believed the legislation still required significant clarification.

What happens next

The bill itself remains under consideration in the UK Parliament and is not guaranteed to pass.

If it does become law, the decision about whether to introduce assisted dying services in Wales would fall to a future Welsh Government.

The issue is likely to remain politically sensitive, particularly ahead of the Senedd elections scheduled for May, where questions around health policy, personal autonomy and ethical legislation may feature prominently in campaign debates.

Concerns grow over emergency surgery and stroke care proposals in west Wales

LOCAL Senedd Members have called on the Welsh Government to intervene urgently amid fears that key services could be removed from Withybush Hospital.

Paul Davies MS and Samuel Kurtz MS have written jointly to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care following last week’s meeting of Hywel Dda University Health Board, where proposals affecting Withybush and Bronglais hospitals were discussed.

The politicians warned that removing emergency general surgery and stroke services from Withybush could have serious consequences for patients across Pembrokeshire and the wider west Wales region.

In their letter, they said the plans could significantly increase travel times for critically ill patients, place further pressure on ambulance services and risk widening health inequalities in rural communities.

They also raised concerns that stripping back core acute services could threaten the long-term viability of the hospital’s Accident and Emergency department.

Stroke treatment was highlighted as a particular concern because outcomes are highly time-dependent, with delays potentially leading to life-changing consequences for patients.

The MSs also pointed to uncertainty surrounding proposed changes at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, warning that communities across mid and west Wales were already facing geographic barriers to accessing urgent care.

They have formally called on the Welsh Government to step in to ensure services remain at both hospitals.

Samuel Kurtz said the issue had caused “deep concern” locally, adding that rural communities deserved safe and equitable access to emergency healthcare.

Health Board response

Hywel Dda University Health Board has previously said the changes are being considered because some services are “fragile and in need of change,” with workforce pressures, recruitment challenges and increasing demand affecting sustainability.

Following its extraordinary meeting on February 19, the Board confirmed that no immediate changes would take place and that services would continue as normal while detailed implementation plans are developed.

Mark Henwood, the Board’s Executive Medical Director, said: “I would like to reassure members of our community that our services remain safe, but are fragile and need to improve to provide the best patient outcome and experience.

“No immediate changes will take place because of the decisions we made as a Board today… patients should attend their appointments as usual.”

The Health Board has also said changes would likely be introduced in phases over several years and that further engagement is planned, particularly around stroke services, before any final decisions are made.

Longstanding concerns

The latest intervention from politicians comes amid longstanding public concern in Pembrokeshire over the future of services at Withybush, with campaigners repeatedly warning that downgrades could lead to longer journeys to hospitals such as Glangwili in Carmarthen or Morriston in Swansea.

The Herald has approached the Welsh Government for comment.

A CALL to allow the selling of alcohol as late as 10pm at a rural beauty spot former village tearoom which objectors fear will “create an absolute nightmare” exacerbating an already growing issue with antisocial behaviour from holidaymakers, has been given the go-ahead.

At Pembrokeshire County Council’s February licensing sub-committee, members considered an application by Sarah Jane Partridge and Robert John Secrett for a new premises licence at Bosherton Bistro, Old World Cottage, Bosherton.

A report for members said it was proposed the premises, formerly a tearoom called ‘Ye Olde Worlde Café’ would open 8am-10pm, selling alcohol from 9am on and off site, seven days a week in the village.

Since the proposal for the site, close to the village pub The St Govan’s Inn, was publicised, 13 objections were received, including Stackpole and Castlemartin Community Council.

In its submissions, the community council said it “will cause a significant public nuisance in the residential area”.

It said the ordinarily tranquil Bosherston, with its neighbouring beauty spot attractions of the lily ponds and St Govans currently has four well-established camp sites “which already frequently cause late night disruption, littering and anti-social behaviour caused predominantly by intoxicated individuals”.

It went on to say: “Instances of aggressive behaviour and trespass are already prevalent within the village by visitors under the influence of alcohol.”

Concerns raised by members of the public included fears of “an increased problem with drunkenness, drink driving and antisocial behaviour,” and it would “make life for the residents in the immediate area an absolute nightmare”.

Speaking at the meeting, applicant Sarah Jane Partridge said they shared “the same fundamental aims as the residents,” with the scheme “not about creating a drinking venue but a food-based family bistro”.

She stressed that campers were already able to buy alcohol from the pub, or bring their own to the campsites, adding the 84-cover bistro would introduce safeguarding measures around the sale of any alcohol; off-site sales consisting of ‘gift-set’-style alcohol craft packages rather than “cans of lager”.

Objector Rik Guly said there had been many public order incidents over the years in the 36-home village relating to visitors from the campsites, as well as empty beer bottles, tampons and tins littering the area, one farmer also having his ‘honesty box’ stolen on several occasions; the application “effectively throwing a catalyst for more alcohol consumption and more public disorder”.

He also raised concerns it could restrict access along the narrow road to the nearby coastguard building for emergency services.

Another objector Clare Strudwick said “almost half the village” was objecting to the scheme which would cause “unacceptable public nuisance”.

Representing the community council, local county councillor Steve Alderman, who once farmed in Bosherston himself, said post-Covid visitor interest in the area had been raised “immeasurably,” with huge numbers attracted to the area.

He said that, while “antisocial behaviour, both physical and verbal” and “a complete lack of respect for what is a marvellous-looking village” was “society’s fault,” the resident’s had a right to enjoy their quality of life.

After the committee deliberated, chair Cllr Tony Wilcox said they had considered the range of objections but considered they were “not of sufficient seriousness to consider rejecting the application”.

The licensing application was approved, objectors hearing that decision could be appealed within 28 days.

Cover image: An application by Sarah Jane Partridge and Robert John Secrett for a new premises licence at Bosherton Bistro, Old World Cottage, Bosherton was approved. (Image: embrokeshire County Council webcast.)