OVER 500 concerned Pembrokeshire people made the journey to Cardiff Bay to protest against the decision to close the Special Care Baby Unit at Withybush Hospital and transfer services to Glangwili, Carmarthen.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, Angela Newman of Johnston said: “It was a great turn out and it was good to be part of something so important. It is a pity that Mark Drakeford lacked the courage to meet with Chris Overton or come out and face us, the people who he claims to represent. “He was quick to post on Facebook that he had been pleased to meet with a delegation from Pembrokeshire. Two nurses, I heard.”

Angela went on to tell The Herald: “We could not believe that we were not allowed access to the Senedd building, a public building paid for out of our taxes, on a six in/six out basis.

“The security officer on the door just told us to write a letter to the head of building security.

“Our mood was very positive and there was no aggro, even though they could not have stopped us from forcing our way into the Senedd.

“We will not give this up.”

AMs meeting with baby unit plan opponents

ASSEMBLY members Joyce Watson and Rebecca Evans have held a meeting with health minister Mark Drakeford and Withybush Hospital campaigners. Hundreds of campaigners opposing changes to specialist baby care in West Wales protested at the Senedd on Wednesday.

Before the demonstration the Labour Mid and West Wales AMs convened a meeting between the minister and a group of campaigners.

Speaking after the hour and a half long private meeting (the minister was present for around 45 minutes; the meeting continued with a senior official), Mrs Watson said: “I am pleased that members of Withybush’s nursing staff, paediatricians and interested parties had a chance to speak to the minister at length, directly and candidly.

“We discussed issues including patient transport and travel costs; accommodation for parents when their baby has to stay in hospital; fast, safe onward transport for mothers; and the critical baby stabilisation ‘safety net’. The minister gave cast-iron assurances that all necessary arrangements would be in place before any service changes.

“I was concerned by a suggestion that, throughout this process, Hywel Dda has been reluctant to engage openly with front-line staff. That is not on, and Rebecca and I have requested an urgent meeting with the health board.”

Rebecca Evans AM added: “The Minister was able to provide reassurances that the Health Board has presented him with no proposal that A&E will be anything less than 24/7. He reiterated his view that Withybush Hospital has a secure and successful future, and that it is a ‘necessary’ hospital for the people of west Wales.”

AM Backs Protest

MID AND WEST AM, Simon Thomas welcomed campaigners aiming to keep services at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire outside the Senedd.

Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas speaking to the estimated 200 protestors said: “I want to congratulate campaigners on their successful rally outside the Senedd. A clear message was sent to the Labour government that their plans are deeply unpopular. Not only that, their decision to remove consultant-led maternity services will put lives unneccesarily at risk.

“The loss of one service has a knock on impact on other services at the hospital. The management of Hywel Dda is not being honest wheyn they say that there won’t be any significant changes in the future to A&E. Plaid Cymru is asking the question how long can A&E last without 24 hour paediatric cover?”

“We are calling on the Labour Welsh Health Minister to rethink this decision. The Party of Wales is willing to work with all parties, and those of no party allegience to ensure the continuation of services at Withybush Hospital.

“The people of my Mid and West region deserve the same health care as those in large towns and cities. Plaid Cymru’s policy is to recruit 1000 doctors to bring Wales up to European standards and enable services to be as local as possible.”

Welsh Conservatives have long campaigned for core services at Withybush to remain unchanged

Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said:

“Welsh Labour’s endorsement of plans to downgrade Withybush is a catastrophic mistake.

“Expectant mothers must be confident in the knowledge that services are fit for purpose.

“That is now not the case and I wholeheartedly support those who have travelled from Pembrokeshire to make their voices heard.”

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies said:

“The voices of all those who have gathered at the Senedd must be respected and considered by Carwyn Jones and Welsh Labour.

“Their plans to strip Withybush of core services are reckless, unnecessary, and dangerous.

“It will mean much longer travelling distances, and – in immediately life-threatening cases – could pose severe harm to mothers and babies.

“I stand with all those here today and I will continue to fight Labour’s damaging centralising NHS agenda.”

Assembly Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Angela Burns, said:

“Given the gravity of this dangerous and irresponsible decision, it is no surprise to see so many making their way to the Senedd steps.

“Every single voice should be heard by Labour ministers and every single view carefully considered.

“Previous promises not to downgrade hospitals have been left in tatters.

“Carwyn Jones and Welsh Labour carry a heavy responsibility in pursuing this centralising agenda.

“Our fight will continue until this decision is reversed.”