A SECOND phase of public consultation is to be held on the future of stroke services across Hywel Dda University Health Board’s four main hospitals.

The Health Board endorsed the move on May 28, as part of its wider Clinical Services Plan, which is looking at fragile hospital services and how care can be made safer, more sustainable, accessible and kind.

At an extraordinary board meeting in February, decisions were made on eight of the nine services being reviewed. However, no final decision was taken on stroke services, after board members agreed that further work and engagement were needed.

The Health Board says its current stroke services do not consistently meet national clinical standards. Services are currently spread across four hospital sites, with no specialist stroke cover available seven days a week, which can affect patient outcomes and recovery.

Since February, further work has been carried out to develop and test a preferred option for stroke services.

The proposal combines elements of two alternative options put forward by communities during the first phase of consultation last summer.

The preferred option includes a 24-hour acute stroke and rehabilitation unit at Glangwili Hospital, a stroke rehabilitation unit at Bronglais Hospital, and treat-and-transfer services at Bronglais, Prince Philip and Withybush hospitals.

Under the model, patients would be transferred to Glangwili Hospital or to a specialist thrombectomy centre where appropriate.

The Board heard that the proposal had been assessed in the same level of detail as previously considered options, met the required criteria, and had support from clinical and operational representatives.

The second phase of consultation will run for eight weeks, from May 28 until July 26.

People will be asked whether they support the preferred option and why. They will also be able to comment on the other options previously considered by the Board, including Option A, Option B, Option 106 and Option 210.

The consultation will also seek views on any other issues that should be considered, including potential impacts on equality and the Welsh language.

Dr Neil Wooding, Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Today’s decision means we can now return to our communities to ask their views on a preferred option. The option was developed using suggestions put forward by our communities in the first place. This is an important step before any final decision on stroke services is made.

“As a Board, we are committed to working together to ensure we provide the best possible care for our patients, including the best outcomes for people who suffer a stroke. Change can be challenging, but we must adapt to ensure our services meet stroke standards and enable people to have the best possible recovery from this life-altering condition.”

The Health Board said a range of engagement opportunities will be offered, including public drop-in events, online sessions, community outreach, hospital site visits, staff briefings and targeted engagement with community groups.

Information will also be made available in accessible formats and different languages.

Mark Henwood, Executive Medical Director, said: “We know how important stroke services are to the people we serve and to our staff. This second phase of consultation represents an important stage in shaping the future of stroke services across Hywel Dda.

“I encourage everyone to get involved – whether by completing the questionnaire or attending one of our events. Your experiences and feedback will play a vital role in helping us make well-informed decisions to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.”

The Health Board will consider feedback from both phases of the consultation, alongside evidence, data, clinical advice and impact assessments, before making a final decision later this year.

Further information, including event details, the questionnaire and documents in accessible formats and languages, is available on the Health Board’s consultation webpage.

STAFF from Ward 4 at Withybush Hospital are preparing to climb Pen y Fan to raise money for their surgical ward.

The team will take on the challenge on Saturday, September 5, 2026, climbing the highest peak in South Wales in Bannau Brycheiniog.

The fundraiser aims to raise £500, with money going directly towards improving the ward environment for patients.

Staff said: “We have organised this event to raise funds that will go directly towards enhancing the ward environment for patients, including purchasing items such as TVs to improve comfort and wellbeing during their stay.

“We’re hoping to raise £500.”

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “A huge thank you to the team on Ward 4 for embracing the challenge and choosing to raise funds for their ward. We hope you have a fantastic day and truly enjoy the experience.

“The generous charitable donations we receive do not replace NHS funding. Instead, they support additional items and activities outside core NHS expenditure. These small extras make a big difference, and we are so grateful for every donation we receive.”

Donations can be made to the Ward 4 Pen y Fan fundraiser at: https://hyweldda.enthuse.com/cf/ward-4-staff-at-withybush-hospital-s-pen-y-fan-cha

For more information about Hywel Dda Health Charities and how to support local NHS patients and staff, visit: hywelddahealthcharities.nhs.wales

Pictured:

Staff from Ward 4

MS says he will oppose any further centralisation of hospital care in Ceredigion Penfro

PAUL DAVIES MS has said he will continue to oppose any attempt to centralise key hospital services away from Withybush and Bronglais, following a meeting with Hywel Dda University Health Board.

The Ceredigion Penfro Senedd Member said he met health board representatives to discuss the delivery of services across west Wales, amid continuing concern over the future of emergency general surgery at Withybush Hospital and stroke services at Bronglais Hospital.

Mr Davies said he made it “very clear” that he opposed any centralisation of services from the two hospitals.

He said: “I’ve met with Hywel Dda University Health Board to discuss the delivery of services across the health board area.

“I made it very clear that I oppose any centralisation of services from Withybush Hospital and Bronglais Hospital — in particular emergency general surgery services at Withybush and the stroke unit at Bronglais.

“I also told the health board that it needs a change of mindset when it comes to delivering services and that I will continue to stand up for my constituents and oppose them on any plans to remove services from hospitals in Ceredigion Penfro.”

The comments come after months of concern over Hywel Dda’s Clinical Services Plan, which has considered changes to a number of hospital services including emergency general surgery, stroke, critical care, radiology, orthopaedics, urology, endoscopy, dermatology and ophthalmology.

In February, the health board backed a future model for emergency general surgery which would see the service delivered from Bronglais and Glangwili, with Withybush no longer providing that function in the same way.

That decision sparked anger in Pembrokeshire, where campaigners and politicians warned that removing emergency general surgery from Withybush could weaken the long-term position of the hospital’s A&E department and force patients to travel further for urgent treatment.

There is also concern in mid and west Wales over the future of stroke services, with Bronglais Hospital’s stroke unit repeatedly highlighted by local representatives as a vital service for patients in rural Ceredigion and surrounding areas.

Hywel Dda has previously said its clinical services work is aimed at addressing fragile services, improving standards and making care more sustainable across the region.

But Mr Davies said the health board must stop viewing centralisation as the answer.

He added that hospitals in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion serve large rural communities, where journey times, public transport and access to urgent care must be central to any decision about service changes.