Campaigners warn patient safety at risk as pressure grows on Welsh Government

A PETITION calling for urgent Welsh Government intervention into services at Withybush Hospital has attracted almost 5,000 signatures, highlighting growing concern across Pembrokeshire about the future of local healthcare.

The petition, titled “Urgent Pembrokeshire Healthcare & Resident Safety – Withybush Hospital & Health Board Intervention,” demands immediate action to oversee Hywel Dda University Health Board and restore essential services to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents.

It has so far gathered 4,875 signatures and remains open until August 23, 2026.

If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, it will be considered for a debate in the Senedd. Under Welsh Parliament rules, petitions with more than 250 signatures are automatically discussed by the Petitions Committee once the signature-gathering period ends.

The petition was created by Ajay Owen, who argues that current healthcare pressures are placing unacceptable strain on communities across Pembrokeshire.

The petition states: “We demand immediate government intervention to oversee the Health Board at Withybush Hospital and restore essential services to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Pembrokeshire residents. The residents, GP’s, Ambulance Services & Voluntary Sectors do not need the strain or anxiety the health board is causing locally.”

The campaign comes amid ongoing controversy over proposed service changes affecting hospitals in west Wales, including concerns about the future configuration of emergency and specialist care.

Local politicians have already voiced alarm over potential impacts on patient safety, travel times, and ambulance pressures if services are moved further from Pembrokeshire.

The Herald understands that concerns about rural access to emergency treatment have been raised repeatedly in recent months, particularly in relation to time-critical conditions such as stroke and major trauma.

Health boards across Wales continue to face significant workforce shortages, financial pressures, and recruitment challenges, which have contributed to difficult decisions about service configuration.

A spokesperson for Hywel Dda University Health Board has previously said any proposed changes are aimed at improving patient safety and ensuring services are clinically sustainable in the long term.

Campaigners, however, argue that removing services from Withybush risks undermining confidence in local healthcare provision and increasing inequalities for rural communities.

The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.

Residents wishing to sign the petition can do so via the Senedd petitions website.

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has called on health boards to improve access to eating disorder treatment and strengthen early intervention services as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy said earlier support can have a “significant positive impact” on people living with eating disorders, as she outlined progress made across Wales and future plans to improve services.

The update comes as part of the Welsh Government’s wider Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, launched last year, which focuses on prevention, earlier intervention and tackling the wider causes of poor mental health.

The Minister said eating disorders are complex conditions influenced by biological, psychological and social factors, requiring a cross-government approach to prevention and treatment.

Schools also play an important role, with Welsh Government guidance highlighting the need for supportive environments and targeted help for pupils experiencing disordered eating or poor body image. Public Health Wales data shows that as of February 2026, 96% of schools — including all secondary schools — are actively planning to meet wellbeing needs.

The Welsh Government has also promoted its “Seek Help Now” campaign, which highlights that more than 1.25 million people in the UK are affected by eating disorders, yet only around one-third seek formal help. Campaign materials have been shared with healthcare providers, schools and third-sector organisations to encourage earlier support.

Healthcare staff training has also been expanded, with a new foundation-level e-learning course developed by Health Education and Improvement Wales to help professionals identify and respond to eating disorders more effectively.

Ministers say investment has continued in early support services, including more than £110,000 in funding for the BEAT Wales helpline in 2025, helping people access advice while waiting for specialist care.

Across Wales, health boards have expanded services, supported by more than £2 million in funding through NHS performance improvement programmes aimed at improving access, quality and outcomes.

Work is also underway to develop a national early intervention service model based on the FREED approach (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders), with flexibility for local needs.

While most patients are treated in the community, the Welsh Government confirmed that eight specialist adult inpatient beds were secured in Wales in 2024 to allow more people to receive care closer to home.

The NHS Joint Commissioning Committee is now exploring options for intensive day treatment services, with modelling work expected to report in the spring.

A research and evidence network has also been established to improve outcomes and ensure services are based on the latest evidence.

Sarah Murphy said she has written to all health boards urging continued leadership focus to reduce waiting times and implement early intervention services once national specifications are finalised.

All health boards have confirmed their commitment to the programme.

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.