Elin Jones and shadow health minister call for upgrading Bronglais

PLAID CYMRU has pledged to develop Bronglais Hospital into a “Hospital of Rural Excellence”, arguing that healthcare in mid Wales must be designed specifically for rural communities rather than based on models developed for major cities.

The commitment was made by Ceredigion MS Elin Jones, who is also Plaid Cymru’s lead Senedd candidate for the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, alongside the party’s Shadow Health Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor.

The pledge comes as concerns continue about the future of services at the Aberystwyth hospital, including proposals which could see the stroke unit downgraded.

Ms Jones said Bronglais has faced repeated threats of service reductions over the years and called for renewed focus on recommendations made in the 2014 Mid Wales Healthcare Study, led by Professor Marcus Longley and commissioned by the Welsh Government.

The study was carried out following earlier proposals to centralise emergency surgery and obstetric services away from the hospital.

Ms Jones said: “We know that Bronglais is a small hospital and the numbers coming through its doors are not the same as in large city hospitals. Models of service delivery designed for large population centres are not always appropriate for smaller rural hospitals.

“However, being smaller does not mean a hospital cannot be modern, innovative or cutting-edge. In fact, rural hospitals often need to be even more innovative, particularly in the use of telemedicine and new ways of delivering care.

“There was real momentum following the Marcus Longley review to design bespoke rural health services for mid Wales, and progress was made for a time. Unfortunately that momentum appears to have been lost during the covid period.

“It is now time to revisit those ambitions and work across health board boundaries to develop Bronglais as a hospital of rural excellence.”

Plaid Cymru says the hospital’s catchment area stretches across a vast geographical region, serving communities in Ceredigion as well as large parts of Powys and Gwynedd.

Mr ap Gwynfor said rural healthcare systems in other parts of the world could offer useful lessons.

“Bronglais serves a very large geographic area covering much of Gwynedd, Powys and Ceredigion,” he said.

“With the right political direction from the next Welsh Government, we have an opportunity to plan services in Bronglais in a way that genuinely meets the needs of rural Wales.

“Countries such as Canada and Australia have developed successful models of rural health excellence. By learning from best practice internationally, working across health board boundaries, and collaborating with professional bodies such as the Royal Colleges, we can build a service that excels in telemedicine and has a workforce plan suited to rural areas.”

Plaid Cymru says it believes Bronglais could become a national centre for innovation in rural healthcare if the right long-term strategy and investment are put in place.

WOMEN across mid and west Wales could see improved access to specialist healthcare as Hywel Dda University Health Board develops new community-based services, including a pilot women’s health hub and advanced gynaecological diagnostic clinics.

The developments come as healthcare leaders highlight ongoing concerns about inequalities in women’s health outcomes.

Dana Scott, Director of Midwifery and Professional Governance for Women and Children at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said International Women’s Day on Sunday (March 8) provided an opportunity to reflect on the issue.

“Across the world, women live longer than men, yet they often spend more years in poor health,” she said.

“Many conditions affecting women remain under-diagnosed, under-researched and under-treated.

“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognise that improving women’s health is not only important for individuals, but for families and communities as a whole.”

Pilot hub launched in Aberystwyth

The health board has launched a pilot Women’s Health Hub at Padarn Surgery in Aberystwyth as part of the Welsh Government’s Women’s Health Plan for Wales, which aims to bring services such as menopause support, menstrual health and contraception closer to where people live.

The clinic is led by GPs and nurses and also offers physiotherapy alongside specialist bladder and bowel support.

Dana Scott said the health board hopes to expand the model.

“The pilot at Padarn Surgery is working well and we are looking forward to developing seven women’s health hubs based around GP clusters across the Hywel Dda area,” she said.

“These hubs bring together practical support and specialist knowledge, helping women access care more easily in the communities where they live.

“This approach allows us to deliver care that is faster, more holistic and more responsive to women’s needs across different stages of life.”

Advanced diagnostics closer to home

Alongside the new hubs, the health board is also expanding access to advanced gynaecological diagnostics in community settings.

At the Cardigan Integrated Care Centre and in Aberystwyth, Consultant Gynaecologist Mr Alan Treharne and his team are using advanced ultrasound technology to diagnose conditions earlier and more accurately.

The equipment, which is more commonly found in hospital radiology departments, allows detailed assessments to be carried out closer to home for women living in rural areas.

The project is being supported by the Bevan Commission and is exploring new models for delivering gynaecology services.

Mr Treharne said the aim is to reduce the need for invasive procedures and hospital referrals.

“What we are trying to do is incorporate more advanced techniques into routine care so we can reduce the number of women needing invasive procedures or referral into secondary care,” he said.

“It also means our diagnostic reports are more accurate, helping us to reduce under-diagnosis but also over-diagnosis.

“Many gynaecological conditions can be managed effectively when diagnosed early. By using advanced ultrasound we can often provide answers more quickly and offer treatments that significantly improve women’s quality of life.”

Patient shares experience

One patient who benefited from the service is Kirsten Thompson from Aberystwyth, who said the care helped resolve years of unexplained pain.

“Since I was about 12 I’d had chronic pain and discomfort and had often been told there was nothing wrong,” she said.

“After being referred to Mr Treharne, he listened carefully and tried treatments that hadn’t been offered before.

“My pain improved and I was able to enjoy life again and care for my children properly.”

Kirsten later welcomed a new baby, Lenny.

“For years I was told I wouldn’t be able to have any more children because of my condition,” she said.

“Then after treatment we were able to welcome our son. That care made a huge difference to our family.”

Hywel Dda University Health Board said the initiatives form part of wider efforts to improve women’s healthcare across the region through earlier diagnosis, better access to specialist services and more support delivered in community settings.

More information about women’s health services is available on the health board’s website.

Welsh Government confirms leadership change following Senedd scrutiny

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed that Andrew Morgan OBE will become the new chair of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

The appointment was announced on Friday (Mar 6) by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles following a pre-appointment hearing by the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee on February 26.

Mr Morgan will take up the role on May 5, replacing current chair Ann Lloyd, who has led the health board since 2017.

Announcing the decision, Jeremy Miles said Mr Morgan brings extensive leadership experience from across the public sector and will guide the organisation through significant challenges facing the NHS in Wales.

He said: “Andrew brings extensive public-sector leadership experience. His strategic insight, proven ability to navigate complex challenges, and strong understanding of local and national systems will, I am confident, provide Aneurin Bevan University Health Board with the assurance, guidance and strategic leadership needed to support the organisation through the significant challenges ahead.”

The appointment follows scrutiny by members of the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee, which examined the proposed appointment as part of the Welsh Government’s public appointments process.

Mr Miles also thanked outgoing chair Ann Lloyd for her work leading the health board over the past nine years.

He said: “I would like to thank Ann Lloyd for the significant contributions she has made during her service since 2017.”

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is responsible for NHS services across Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen, serving a population of around 600,000 people.

The Welsh Government said the appointment had been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.