UNISON has released its formal submission to Hywel Dda’s consultation and said the lack of detail of how and when new health services will be operational, has set communities against each other as they fight to protect their local accident and emergency services.

Hywel Dda University Health Board says it is struggling to recruit specialist staff and that “no change is not an option.”

It launched a consultation process, giving a number of options, all of which included the closure of the A&E Department at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

The trade union cited the board’s failure to properly consult the staff trade unions before the proposals appeared in the press, as one of the reasons the public distrusts the plans.

UNISON also suggested people are sceptical about reorganisation because previous restructuring of A&E and maternity services at Hywel Dda has not proved sustainable.

Jeff Baker, UNISON regional organiser, told The Herald: “Anyone working in the NHS would like to bring care closer to the public and Hywel Dda’s plans of community hubs are promising and ambitious.

“To convince the people to get behind change of this scale however, you need detailed information which considers every eventuality of how patients will be treated in the new system. That work has not been done. The public have every right to press Hywel Dda on what their future access to emergency care will look like and the staff need answers too. The trade unions haven’t been given the opportunity to meet with the board during the consultation period.

Nadia Probert, UNISON branch secretary, said:“Our submission presents a series of scenarios asking how those in ill-health, young and old and those in remote areas, will be able to access treatment. The health board must be able to answer these comprehensively. People need to know how services will be coordinated, developed and funded and how healthcare demand is calculated. Without this information, UNISON can’t support the proposals.

“We need to hear from Welsh government too. It must fully-fund the proposed changes, help the board with strategic advice and also give additional funding to local government to allow for the prompt release of patients into the community.”

Donna Hutton, UNISON Cymru Wales head of health said:“Other health boards in south Wales are also evaluating future service provision and it is absolutely essential the proper work is done at Hywel Dda and the staff trade unions provided with all the information they are seeking.”

Last month UNISON brought together local politicians and health campaigners together in an action committee to campaign on common concerns on the restructuring proposals.

The Health Board said that over the last twelve weeks they have heard from thousands of people about their plans to radically overhaul healthcare services “to ensure that they are safe, sustainable, accessible and kind for current and future generations”.

A spokesman said: “Each proposal that we have consulted on has been tested by our clinicians and members of the public were asked to provide their feedback in a multitude of different ways, which will be independently analysed and considered before any formal proposal is put before the Health Board later this year.”

Hywel Dda’s Chief Executive, Steve Moore, told The Herald: “I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in Our Big NHS Change. This has been the biggest and most important public consultation ever undertaken on the future of healthcare services in west Wales and we recognise the strength of feeling and passion our local communities have for our local NHS, so I’m glad that many residents took part in the consultation by completing the questionnaire, talking with us at our public drop-in or stakeholder events, or by providing feedback through a number of other ways throughout the 12 week period.

“The conversation that you have been involved in has been critical in terms of helping to challenge and shape our way of thinking. All of the questionnaires and feedback received will now be independently analysed by an external organisation, Opinion Research Services (ORS). We will hold further discussions with our clinicians, staff and stakeholders to consider this feedback to enable our clinicians to put forward their recommendation to the Board in September. We appreciate that some people are concerned about potential changes in our local health and care services, and we wish to reassure people that we will continue to provide regular updates so that everyone is informed on latest developments.”