A MAJOR public consultation on the future of nine vital NHS services in west Wales is expected to be launched on Wednesday (May 29) following a meeting of Hywel Dda University Health Board.

The consultation, part of the board’s Clinical Services Plan, will run until August 31 and seeks views on options for delivering care across services including critical care, stroke, radiology, emergency general surgery and orthopaedics. The board says all nine areas are fragile and in urgent need of change to ensure safety, quality, and sustainability.

But the plan is already under political and public scrutiny, as newly elected Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell prepares for a key meeting with health board leadership in the days following the consultation’s launch. He has accused the board of presiding over a deteriorating healthcare system and called for “immediate and meaningful action” to restore public trust and address mounting delays in diagnosis, treatment and GP access.

“There’s still no acceptance by the board that there’s a problem,” Mr Tufnell said. “The management is failing us here in Pembrokeshire. There’s a complete lack of transparency and accountability.”

While health is devolved to the Welsh Government and decisions on service configuration ultimately lie with Senedd ministers and local health boards, Tufnell’s intervention puts Labour under pressure on two fronts—at Westminster and in Cardiff Bay.

The MP, who has already submitted a Freedom of Information request about GP waiting times and service performance, is demanding full disclosure from Hywel Dda on plans to tackle NHS fragility in the region. He insists the consultation must lead to “more than paperwork.”

“I want to see concrete commitments to improving patient access and safeguarding the future of local hospitals. The people I represent deserve clarity, not vague promises,” he said.

Cracks in the system—literally

Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest lies at the heart of local concern. Once a fully functioning general hospital, it has seen gradual downgrading of services over the past decade—and last year, its structural weaknesses became national news.

In 2023, six wards were forced to close after dangerous concrete—Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)—was found in the building’s ceilings. Over 100 beds were taken offline during urgent repairs. Though all wards were reopened by spring 2024, health chiefs admit that problems linked to RAAC will remain for the “lifetime of the building” and further closures are expected as parts of the hospital are re-surveyed this year.

The Welsh Government allocated £12.8 million for temporary remediation, but the long-term future of the building remains in doubt, with calls growing for a new hospital to replace the aging structure. Campaigners fear the consultation may be used to justify further centralisation of services away from Pembrokeshire.

“A system under pressure”

The Clinical Services Plan identifies nine services at risk of failing to deliver safe, timely care. These include critical care, emergency surgery, stroke services, radiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, endoscopy and urology.

The Health Board says it has no preferred option at this stage and wants to hear from staff, patients and the public before any decision is made. In-person and online events are planned over the summer, and a questionnaire will be made available from May 29.

Interim Medical Director Mr Mark Henwood said: “We want to hear your views on which options best address the challenges, improve standards, and reduce waiting times. We’re also keen to understand any concerns, impacts, or alternative ideas you may have—including your thoughts on the future role of our main hospitals.”

The consultation opens amid a grim new snapshot of NHS performance in Wales. Data published today (May 22) reveals persistent backlogs in planned care, mounting pressure on emergency departments, and cancer pathway delays across the country. In Pembrokeshire, GP appointment access remains among the worst in Wales, and local A&E departments continue to struggle with patient flow—exacerbated by bed shortages and social care delays.

Public invited to shape future care

The consultation will ask the public to comment on which proposals best address current service fragilities, how they may impact patients and communities, the role of local hospitals, and any alternative suggestions or priorities.

The results will be reviewed by the Health Board in November 2025, though that date may be pushed back if the volume of responses is high.

To take part or learn more, visit:
https://hduhb.nhs.wales/clinical-services-plan

Residents can also register with the board’s engagement scheme at:
https://www.haveyoursay.hduhb.wales.nhs.uk/siarad-iechyd-talking-health

Transforming Towns programme backs regeneration in Haverfordwest and Pembroke

TOWNS across Pembrokeshire are being backed by more than £10 million of Welsh Government investment as part of efforts to breathe new life into local high streets and boost the economy.

Since 2021, the Welsh Labour Government has provided £10,050,000 to Pembrokeshire County Council through the Transforming Towns programme, funding key regeneration projects including the Western Quayside development in Haverfordwest and the South Quay project in Pembroke.

The latest funding figures were released following the Welsh Government’s announcement last week of a further £31.5 million for the Transforming Towns fund in 2024/25. Councils across Wales can now bid for this year’s funding, with an additional £10.8 million earmarked for four local authorities in South West Wales in 2025/26.

The Transforming Towns programme aims to help local authorities regenerate town centres and create vibrant, sustainable places. Since its launch in 2020, the programme has delivered more than £314 million in grant and loan funding across all 22 Welsh local authorities.

In Pembrokeshire, the funding has already supported the Western Quayside redevelopment at the site of the former Ocky White’s department store in Haverfordwest. The scheme will deliver new restaurant and leisure facilities, complementing the town’s existing retail offering on Bridge Street and Riverside Quay.

The council has also purchased the Riverside Shopping Centre in Haverfordwest for future redevelopment and is progressing the South Quay regeneration project in Pembroke, located beside the iconic Pembroke Castle.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, said: “Transforming Towns isn’t just a snappy slogan or government jargon – it’s real investment going directly to communities who know how best to renew their local areas. Working in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council, we’re helping bring new life to the county’s historic town centres.”

Labour Senedd Member for Mid and West Wales, Joyce Watson MS, added: “Our towns and high streets are the beating hearts of our communities. They provide jobs, attract visitors, and grow the local economy – helping put money back into people’s pockets.”

Pembrokeshire MS and First Minister Eluned Morgan also welcomed the investment: “The £10 million already provided by the Welsh Labour Government has helped transform key local sites. These projects will protect and enhance our towns for future generations to enjoy.”

SEVERAL people have minor injuries after a train collided with a tractor at a level crossing, bringing services between Manchester and Cardiff to a halt.

The crash, involving the 8.30am service from Manchester Piccadilly, took place at about 11.45am on Thursday. The train was not derailed. The air ambulance, the West Midlands ambulance service (WMAS) and Hereford and Worcester fire and rescue service crews were sent to the scene at Nordan farm, near Leominster, in Herefordshire.

At least 50 people were on board the train, according to initial reports, and six were being assessed by medics, the British Transport Police (BTS) said.

Emergency services remain at the scene, while the air ambulance has landed at Hereford county hospital, the WMAS said. West Mercia police also attended the crash.

Roads in the area remain open, but train services were suspended and disruption was likely to continue into Thursday evening, Transport for Wales (TfW) said. It added that all services on the Marches line from Newport to Shrewsbury had been stopped.

Tickets would be accepted by other train operators, including Northern Rail, Avanti, GWR and CrossCountry, a TfW spokesperson said, and road replacement services would be put in place.

National Rail said all lines between Hereford and Craven Arms had been halted and services would be cancelled or changed until 7pm.

(Image: File)