Pembrokeshire Assembly Members Paul Davies and Angela Burns have criticised Welsh Labour's refusal to vote on a debate over neonatal care in the National Assembly Chamber. During the debate earlier this week, the Health Minister asked Twitter followers to 'join the debate' on health reconfiguration but refused to take part in the Assembly debate herself. However, despite the refusal of Welsh Labour to engage in the discussion and vote, the motion of the debate was passed.

Commenting on this, Mr Davies said, "I am deeply disappointed that the Welsh Labour Government refused to contribute to the debate on neonatal services in Wales, given the deep severity of the issue across the country. This will certainly not be forgotten by the people of Pembrokeshire. Whilst many of my constituents could face having to travel even further for lifesaving services, the least that Welsh Labour could do is address their concerns in a healthy debate. The motion was quite clear – this was a great opportunity for Labour politicians to assure the people of Pembrokeshire that current neonatal services in west Wales will not be downgraded and sadly they failed to do so."

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns said "It is a sad day for all the constituents of the Labour Assembly Members who refused to vote on the motion. It is right for the public of Wales to demand fair and accessible NHS Neonatal care, what is not fair is for elected assembly members to ignore and pervert the demands of the people of Wales. This important issue cannot be ignored with a head in the sand mentality, we are dealing with people's lives, and to be given a voice in the National Assembly for Wales by the people of your constituency and shirk or hide from standing square to the issue, is a gross shameful dereliction of duty."