News

‘Fog of confusion’ about Withybush Plans

Published

12 years ago

November 27, 2013

UNCERTAINTY CONTINUES to dog the future of maternity, paediatric and specialist baby care at Withybush General Hospital, Haverfordwest.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, Stephen Crabb, the MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, said:

“In recent weeks the fog of confusion around the future of vital services at Withybush has got worse, with neither the Hywel Dda Health Board nor the Welsh Health Minister being willing or able to come clean on their true intentions. The Pembrokeshire rumour mill is in overdrive about changes at Withybush and the local community is rightly concerned and angry. This is the biggest issue facing our County and it is time for Welsh Government in Cardiff to hold the Health Board to account and provide certainty and assurance.”

As The Pembrokeshire Herald revealed last week, staff have already been consulted about a planned shift of services from Withybush to West Wales General Hospital, Glangwili. BBC news picked up the story this week and confirmed with Hywel Dda Local Health Board that talks were taking place with hospital staff.

Campaign groups set up

SEVERAL campaigning groups have been set up on Facebook to fight the closures and a public meeting is to be held at The Picton Centre in Haverfordwest this evening (Thursday, November 21) with a view to setting up a fighting fund to resist any closures or relocation of maternity and paediatric services.

The number of people who have joined the on-line campaign groups at the time this article goes to press is just under 20,000.

In January 2013, Pembrokeshire’s Best Magazine revealed that out of 1,567 responses to the ORS consultation on the Health Board’s plans for Withybush, only 9% of respondents in Pembrokeshire (150 people) favoured the Board’s proposal to close SCBU and transfer all care for high dependence neonates, complex ante-natal and perinatal care out of the County to Glangwili. In spite of the level of opposition shown to their plans, the Local Health Board’s decision announced on January 15 was to proceed with its plans, but to retain some paediatric and obstetric services at Withybush “subject to recruiting staff”.

Speaking to The Herald last week with reference to the potential loss of services due to loss of birth numbers at Withybush, the a spokeswoman from the Hywel Dda Health Board said:

“We are at significant risk of losing training posts if we cannot find solutions. Services may become too fragile unless we plan for the future.

“The neonatal element was referred to Welsh Government and the Health Board was requested to provide further details on our models for gynaecology and obstetrics which is being addressed by this ongoing planning work.”

Further criticism of LHB

THE HEALTH BOARD has been separately criticised by Ceredigion AM for delays in recruitment:

“I have been made increasingly aware of recruitment delays across the Hywel Dda region. In some cases such as recently at Ysbyty Bronglais I’m told of instances where six months after the employment process began, nurses have still not been able to take up new posts.

“Delays in appointing key staff members undermine the vital services offered by the Health Board, increase waiting times, erode public confidence and make it even harder to recruit staff in the future.

“The Welsh Government must work closely with the Local Health Boards across Wales to ensure the process is expedited and that residents get the health service they need and deserve.”

AM’s request for scrutiny denied

A REQUEST from local Assembly Member Paul Davies to publicly scrutinise the future of services at Withybush hospital has been denied.

This follows the latest news that overnight paediatric services at the Withybush hospital could be closed. Mr Davies tabled an urgent question to the Welsh Health Minister given the substantial knock-on effect that this closure would have on the hospital’s obstetrics department, A & E department and the Special Care Baby Unit.

Mr Davies said, “This latest news has further escalated concerns in Pembrokeshire that Withybush hospital is signalled for downgrading. Sadly, my request to scrutinise the Health Minister on this has been turned down. Unfortunately, I have repeatedly called for statements from the Welsh Government in relation to Hywel Dda Health Board’s plans, all of which have been denied.”

He added, “This news will once again renew fears over the hospital’s future, and it’s time that the Welsh Government provided certainty and reassurances for west Wales patients. Anything less is unacceptable. Residents will rightly be worried about the potential closure of overnight paediatric services and the effect that it will have on the sustainability of other core services at Withybush. I will of course, keep raising these issues in the Assembly Chamber in the hope that Welsh Labour Ministers will come clean on the future of Withybush hospital as soon as possible.”

Concern from Haverfordwest Town Council

AT THE Haverfordwest Town Council meeting last night councillors discussed the situation regarding Withybush Hospital.

Town Clerk David Williams said “There are serious concerns about what is happening at Withybush Hospital. We don’t know what the proposals are at the moment and the future of the hospital is in the balance.

“Our intentions are to write to the trust and health minister to clarify what the situation is”.

SWAT has suggested that the situation is the thin end of the wedge in relation to other services. A SWAT leaflet sent to The Pembrokeshire Herald claims, amongst other things:Emergency cover for ALL specialities may reduce to 16 hours each day. Date of implementation unknown at present but maybe January 1, 2014. This would mean patients already in hospital would be safe as on call doctors would be on site but with no A&E facility from perhaps midnight people who became ill overnight or have an accident in the community would be taken directly to Glangwili.

SCBU, Paediatrics and Obstetrics will move to Glangwili in March 2014. This means that there will be NO beds to admit children, babies or pregnant women at Withybush except for very low risk mothers to be.

Anyone needing admission will have to be taken to Glangwili.

A&E will be reduced to 12 hours during the day from April 1, 2014. This means that Withybush will not be able to take any emergency patients overnight and they will all have to be taken to Glangwili for assessment and admission if appropriate.

The leaflet calls on people to demonstrate in support of maintaining services at Withybush outside the hospital every Saturday morning at 11:00 am from January 4, 2014. It also asks for support for a potential legal action to prevent the Health Board’s plans from proceeding.

Joyce Watson AM told us: “I totally support the plan for a Level 2 neo-natal unit in the Hywel Dda area, as we do not currently have one. Withybush maternity unit is the crucial missing piece of the puzzle, however. Until Hywel Dda submits its proposal to the Welsh Government we cannot assess the overall plan.

“What is clear is that Withybush must retain a service that can stabilise mother and baby when complications occur. That is absolutely critical – a red line – and I have consistently urged that point in my discussions with both the Health Board and the Government.”

The Local Health Board responds

In response to the BBC News story, the Health Board released a statement saying:

“The health board can confirm that no instruction has been given to book expectant mothers due in March or April into Glangwili Hospital instead of Withybush Hospital. If any mother has any queries about their booking they are advised to speak to their midwife directly.

“The health board was instructed by the Health Minister in September to clarify the delivery model for obstetric and paediatric services that would be provided to support a Level 2 neonatal unit before a final Ministerial decision is made in relation to new born services.

“The health board is committed to openly discussing the current situation with staff and so meetings are taking place at a hospital, county and health board-wide level.

“The ongoing work with our clinical teams is based on clarifying the service model, taking into account the many service inter-dependencies.

“Proposed models will be submitted to Welsh Government in the next few weeks…the health board’s position [is] that members of staff have not been informed of any final decisions as none have been made.”
Chris Overton of SWAT told The Herald

“Last Tuesday morning the midwifery manager told midwives on the wards that from March there would be a midwifery led service at Withybush. At the same time, the Paediatric Manager told staff that SCBU, paediatric services and Ward 9 admissions would all go to Carmarthen, as that was where paediatric trainee doctors would be based.”

The Pembrokeshire Herald asked for a response from the Welsh Government, shortly before we went to press a spokesperson for Health Minister Mark Drakeford told The Herald:

“This is a matter for the Local Health Board and we have no comment to make on it, at this time.Rebecca Evans AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales said:

“I am obviously concerned by the recent reports, and am seeking clarity from the Health Board because continued speculation and rumour is unhelpful for both patients and our NHS staff.

“The Health Board is due to submit its detailed proposed models to Welsh Government in the next few weeks, and I would expect that those plans should be clinically robust and developed in close collaboration with clinicians and expert obstetricians. I look forward to scrutinising the plans.

“Patient safety – both for the expectant mother and the baby – has to be the overriding concern.”

Mrs Evans is currently seeking reassurances from the Health Board on a number of matters, including that that there is no truth in the reports that all expectant mothers due to give birth after 1 April are being booked into Glangwili Hospital.

Health

Health board confirms major hospital changes across west Wales

Published

27 minutes ago

February 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Emergency surgery centralised as Withybush role shifts toward planned care

MAJOR changes to hospital services across west Wales have been approved following an extraordinary meeting of Hywel Dda University Health Board on Thursday (Feb 19).

Board members agreed the next steps in the organisation’s Clinical Services Plan, covering nine services identified as under pressure or “fragile”, including emergency general surgery, critical care, stroke and orthopaedics.

The decisions will see some specialist services concentrated on fewer hospital sites, alongside plans to expand planned care at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Health chiefs stressed that no immediate changes would take place, with implementation expected to happen gradually over several years.

***At Bronglais General Hospital in Aberystwyth there will be increasing focus on acute and emergency care***

Consultation and decision process

During summer 2025, the Health Board carried out a major public consultation involving more than 4,000 questionnaire responses and engagement events attended by over 4,000 people.

An independent report produced by Opinion Research Services summarised the feedback, while board members also considered workforce pressures, clinical standards, estate issues and financial factors.

Twenty-two alternative proposals submitted by the public were formally assessed against criteria including sustainability, accessibility and deliverability.

Emergency surgery changes

Under the plans, emergency general surgery operations will be concentrated at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen and Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth.

Patients from Pembrokeshire requiring surgery will be transferred to Glangwili when operative treatment is needed.

However, emergency departments will continue operating as normal at all four hospitals.

***The Health Board promises increased planned care activity while continuing initial emergency access at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest***

Other service changes

Across the region, the approved direction includes:

• Intensive care units remaining at Bronglais, Glangwili and Withybush, with Prince Philip Hospital providing enhanced care for less critically ill patients.
• Dermatology services primarily based at Prince Philip Hospital, supported by community clinics and telemedicine.
• Endoscopy procedures brought together at Prince Philip while retaining bowel screening across sites.
• Ophthalmology services concentrated mainly at Glangwili with community provision elsewhere.
• Orthopaedic surgery expanding at Withybush for less complex procedures.
• Radiology retaining emergency imaging at all hospitals with new diagnostic hubs planned.
• Urology inpatient care centralised at Prince Philip Hospital.

Stroke services remain under review, with further public engagement planned before final decisions.

***The Health Board said that Glangwili Hospital there will be increasing focus on acute and emergency care***

Future role of hospitals

The Board confirmed the intended future roles of the four main hospitals:

• Bronglais Hospital — broad range of services.
• Glangwili Hospital — increasing focus on acute and emergency care.
• Prince Philip Hospital — expanding planned care role.
• Withybush Hospital — increased planned care activity while continuing initial emergency access.

Health leaders emphasised there would be no change to how patients access emergency departments or minor injury units.

Board leaders respond

Health Board Chair Dr Neil Wooding said the changes were necessary to secure services for the future.

“Our ambition is for people to live healthier lives for longer by supporting people to keep well and preventing ill health,” he said.

“These decisions are not easy, but as a Board we have a duty to ensure that our services provide the best outcomes for our patients and meet the highest standards.”

Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning, said most services now had a clear direction.

“Our priority is always to deliver the highest standards of care for our patients across Hywel Dda and neighbouring communities,” he said.

Next steps

Detailed implementation plans will now be developed, with further engagement expected in areas where decisions are not yet finalised, particularly stroke services.

Patients are being advised to continue attending appointments as normal while the changes are planned.

More information, including board papers and meeting recordings, is available via the Health Board website.

Community

Town council grant helps secure community arts activity in Milford Haven

Published

2 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN’S Torch Theatre has been awarded a £7,500 grant by Milford Haven Town Council, continuing a long tradition of support for community arts at the iconic venue.

Established in 1977 with significant backing from the Town Council, the Torch Theatre remains one of only three building-based professional producing theatres in Wales. It is widely recognised for its in-house productions as well as its extensive youth and community programmes.

The theatre, which operates as a charity, receives public funding through the Arts Council of Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council, alongside support from local businesses and organisations including Milford Haven Port Authority. Leaders at the venue say funding remains essential to maintaining its broad programme of events and activities for the community.

Chelsey Gillard, Interim CEO and Artistic Director at the Torch Theatre, said: “Being awarded grants such as this one from the Town Council helps us to deliver quality arts to the people of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire and further afield.

“We are very grateful for this continued support and appreciate the work of the Town Council to ensure important provision is supported across Milford.”

The Torch hosts more than 2,000 events and activities each year, attracting over 100,000 visitors. Its community facilities include The Junction, home to the Torch Youth Theatre and a rehearsal space for professional productions. The main auditorium seats 300 people, while the Studio Theatre accommodates 102. The Joanna Field Gallery showcases local exhibitions, and Café Torch serves meals throughout the year.

Ms Gillard added: “We do so much more than what audiences see on stage. Just to name a few of our regular activities, we run a very popular Youth Theatre for ages seven to eighteen, facilitate relaxed environment screenings and shows, host a Welsh learners’ group, Coffi Cymraeg, and hold regular clothes swaps.

“The Torch is also home to Welsh National Opera’s critically acclaimed Cradle Choir for people living with dementia and lots of high-quality classes for adults with disabilities run by Arts Care. All this activity relies on our team of brilliant volunteers and support from grants, trusts and donations.

“This grant will go towards ensuring these activities can continue — thank you.”

Health

Health board: Changes will bring “resilience and sustainability” to West Wales services

Published

2 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Executive Director says emergency surgery transfer is about quality — not loss

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of Strategy and Planning at Hywel Dda University Health Board has defended the decision to transfer certain emergency surgery operations from Withybush Hospital, saying the changes are designed to strengthen services rather than remove them.

***Lee Davies: Executive Director of Strategy and Planning***

Lee Davies told The Herald the “single biggest change” people in west Wales will notice is increased resilience across hospital services.

“The most significant change will be increased resilience and sustainability across services in West Wales,” he said.

“We are strengthening the way services are delivered so that they are less vulnerable to staffing pressures and more consistently available.”

Why now?

Mr Davies said the decision was driven by concerns that some services had become overly dependent on small numbers of clinicians.

“Wales covers a large geographical area, and currently many services are delivered across multiple sites,” he said.

“That has meant that clinical teams are often spread thinly, with some services heavily dependent on a small number of individuals.

“As a result, those services can become vulnerable if staffing circumstances change.”

He added that in certain areas, performance was not matching standards seen in larger UK centres.

“These changes are necessary to strengthen our services, improve sustainability, and ensure we consistently meet high standards of care.”

Emergency surgery at Withybush

Mr Davies confirmed that patients requiring certain general surgery operations will now be transferred to Glangwili Hospital.

However, he rejected suggestions that this amounted to the removal of all emergency surgical care from Pembrokeshire.

“This does not mean that all emergency surgery activity will cease at Withybush Hospital,” he said.

“A small number of patients who require operative procedures will be transferred to Glangwili. Where appropriate, patients will be transferred back to Withybush at the earliest opportunity.”

He acknowledged that some residents may perceive the change as a loss.

“We recognise that some people may see this as a loss,” he said.

“Rather than reacting to staffing pressures in an unplanned way, we are proactively designing a more sustainable and stable model. We believe this approach will provide safer, higher-quality care for the people of Pembrokeshire.”

Reassurance over local hospitals

Asked whether any hospital would lose services under the wider Clinical Services Plan, Mr Davies said no community would lose access.

“There will be changes to how services are provided across West Wales,” he said.

“However, no community will lose access to services. In some cases, services may be delivered in a different location or in a different way.”

He added that all four main hospital sites would continue to play a “vital and important role”.

Monitoring outcomes

Mr Davies said the board had established baseline quality and safety data ahead of the changes and would closely monitor performance.

“We have defined outcome measures and performance expectations,” he said.

“As we move into the improvement phase, we will evaluate whether the changes are delivering anticipated improvements in quality, safety and patient experience.”