Senedd pressure grows as Welsh Government declines to intervene over surgery fears

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has refused to step in over controversial changes to services at Withybush Hospital — despite a petition signed by more than 15,000 people and mounting political pressure across west Wales.

In a letter dated Wednesday (Mar 26), Health Secretary Jeremy Miles told Samuel Kurtz MS that responsibility for the changes lies firmly with Hywel Dda University Health Board — effectively ruling out direct ministerial intervention.

The decision comes after a major public campaign led by Pembrokeshire resident Ajay Owen, whose petition opposing the removal of emergency general surgery from Withybush rapidly gained traction and passed the Senedd threshold for formal consideration.

With more than 15,000 signatures, the petition has forced the issue onto the Senedd agenda and triggered scrutiny by the Petitions Committee — the first step towards a potential full debate in the chamber.

However, despite the scale of public concern, the Welsh Government has made clear it will not step in.

Mr Miles confirmed that the health board approved its Clinical Services Plan (CSP) at an extraordinary meeting in February, with implementation expected to begin in the next Senedd term and take up to four years to complete.

He said: “Under the statutory arrangements for NHS Wales, planning and delivery of local health services are the responsibility of health boards.”

The Health Secretary added that both he and the First Minister had been “very clear” that decisions of this nature rest with the health board — a stance likely to fuel accusations of ministers “passing the buck” at a time of heightened public anxiety.

Crucially, while Mr Miles stated that emergency department services were not included in the CSP decision, he offered no guarantees over the future of emergency general surgery — the central concern driving the campaign.

Local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz criticised the response, describing it as deeply disappointing.

He said the reply “feels like the Minister is passing the buck,” adding that communities in Pembrokeshire are increasingly worried after “years of services being chipped away.”

Mr Kurtz, alongside Paul Davies MS, had urged ministers to intervene directly — arguing that the potential loss of key services would have a serious impact on patients in rural areas, where travel times to alternative hospitals are significantly longer.

The Herald understands that the scale of the petition had raised expectations that Welsh ministers might at least pause or review the proposals.

Instead, the response confirms a hands-off approach from Cardiff Bay — even as concern grows over access to urgent and emergency care in west Wales.

The focus now returns to Hywel Dda University Health Board, which faces intensifying scrutiny over how the plans will be delivered and what they will mean in practice for patients across Pembrokeshire.

For many residents, however, the message from the Welsh Government is clear — and unlikely to reassure:

Despite one of the largest health petitions in the region in recent years, ministers will not intervene.

Politicians demand firm timeline from Hywel Dda

LOCAL politicians are urging Hywel Dda University Health Board to commit to delivering a long-promised integrated health and wellbeing centre for Fishguard — and to finally set out a clear timetable for the project.

The call has been made by Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate Elin Jones and Fishguard North West county councillor Pat Davies, amid growing concern that plans for the facility have stalled.

The proposed centre would serve communities across north Pembrokeshire, from St Davids and Solva to Newport, bringing a range of services together under one roof. However, despite previous expressions of support and public consultations, no confirmed funding package or delivery date has been announced.

The current health centre in Fishguard continues to operate from a building dating back to 1976.

Councillor Pat Davies said: “People in Fishguard and across north Pembrokeshire have been patient, but they deserve more than warm words. The health board has shown interest before, but interest alone is not enough.

“Our communities need a firm commitment and a clear plan. A modern, integrated health centre would transform local services and reduce the need for people to travel long distances for care that should be available on their doorstep.”

Politicians have pointed to the example of the Cardigan Integrated Care Centre, which opened in 2019. The purpose-built facility brings together GP services, dentistry, pharmacy, diagnostics, mental health and community care, and was funded through a Welsh Government budget agreement secured by Plaid Cymru.

Elin Jones said: “This is about putting in place the long-term infrastructure needed to serve north Pembrokeshire for generations.

“We have already seen what is possible when there is political will and investment. The Cardigan centre shows what can be achieved, and north Pembrokeshire deserves the same.

“I am urging Hywel Dda to move beyond the planning stage and set out a properly funded commitment to deliver this centre. If elected, I will continue to push for the investment this community needs.”

The health board has yet to confirm when, or if, the project will move forward.

A NEW chapter in local journalism is set to begin as Herald prepares to launch a dedicated podcast and video interview series, building on more than a decade of reporting across west Wales.

The project, which is expected to begin recording within weeks, will see a wide range of guests brought into a fully equipped studio to discuss the issues shaping Pembrokeshire and beyond. From politics and community campaigns to business, crime and personal stories, the aim is to give a platform to voices that matter locally.

The move marks a significant step in the evolution of Herald, which has grown from a traditional print publication into a digital-first news platform reaching millions of readers online each week.

Editor Tom Sinclair said the idea had been years in the making, even if it had not been fully realised until now.

“We’ve actually had the equipment for a long time,” he said. “It was originally purchased as part of a large production setup, but at the time the audience and the technology just weren’t there in the way they are today.

“Now everything has changed. People watch video, they engage with clips, and they want to hear directly from the people involved in the stories.”

The Herald understands that the studio has been assembled using professional-grade equipment originally sourced from a public sector production facility, alongside cameras, lighting and audio systems built up over many years.

The result is a broadcast-style environment capable of producing multi-camera interviews, discussions and recorded segments suitable for both long-form viewing and short clips for social media.

Sinclair said the focus would be on straightforward, honest conversations rather than heavily produced content.

“This isn’t about slick presentation or trying to be something we’re not,” he said. “It’s about asking the right questions and letting people speak. That’s what we’ve always done in print, and this is just the next step.”

Initial plans include a series of structured interviews with local figures, alongside topical discussions reflecting the biggest stories of the week. With the Senedd elections approaching, the new format is also expected to provide a platform for candidates and campaigners to set out their positions directly to voters.

Interest in the project has already begun to build, with members of the public, campaigners and political figures contacting the Herald to take part. The Herald understands that a number of early guests are being lined up, with recording expected to begin shortly once final technical preparations are complete.

The introduction of podcasts will also open up new opportunities for local businesses, with episode-level sponsorship packages being explored as a way to support production costs while promoting local services.

Sinclair added that the project would remain rooted in the community.

“We’ve spent 13 years building an audience and earning trust,” he said. “This is about using that platform in a new way — not replacing what we do, but adding to it.”

While the format is new, the goal remains the same: to inform, to question, and to reflect the voices of Pembrokeshire.

Readers, businesses and potential guests interested in taking part in the podcast series can contact the Herald via email at [email protected].