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.

Wards at Withybush, Prince Philip and Bronglais hospitals affected as health board urges people with symptoms to stay away

VISITOR restrictions remain in place at wards in three west Wales hospitals following cases of norovirus.

Hywel Dda University Health Board said temporary measures are affecting wards at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth.

Only essential or exceptional visits are currently being allowed, with families urged to contact wards directly or phone hospital switchboards before travelling.

The health board said the measures remain in force until further notice and are being reviewed regularly.

Health officials said the restrictions were introduced after cases of norovirus were identified both within hospital wards and across the wider community.

Norovirus, often referred to as the winter vomiting bug, spreads quickly and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, headaches, aching limbs and a mild fever.

Patients and visitors experiencing symptoms are being urged not to attend hospital and to remain at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop.

Health officials are also reminding the public to wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, avoid preparing food for others while unwell, and keep household surfaces clean to help prevent transmission.

OLDER people in Wales are still paying a heavy price for cold, damp homes and fuel poverty, the Older People’s Commissioner has warned.

Rhian Bowen-Davies was responding to the publication of Public Health Wales’ first annual surveillance reports into the impact of cold weather on mortality and illness in Wales.

She said the reports were an important step forward in understanding how cold weather affects health and wellbeing, but warned that the figures revealed a deeply concerning reality for many older people.

The Commissioner said cold weather continued to have a “profound impact” on older people’s health, independence and quality of life, with poor housing, fuel poverty and the cost-of-living crisis making the situation worse.

She said: “Addressing these issues must remain a national priority, including taking sustained action to improve the quality and energy efficiency of homes across Wales, ensuring that older people can live in warmth and safety.”

Ms Bowen-Davies said consistent data would be vital to track trends and measure whether interventions were working.

But she also called for stronger financial support for older people facing hardship, warning that too many were still being forced to choose between “heating and eating”.

She is continuing to urge the Welsh Government to introduce a dedicated Resilience Fund for older people in severe financial difficulty who are not eligible for Pension Credit or other support.

She added that while public attention may currently be focused on record-breaking temperatures, the report was a reminder that action was needed now to tackle the “unacceptable costs” of cold homes and fuel poverty.