Welsh Conservatives have called for health bosses in mid and west Wales to appear before Assembly Members and answer questions over their plans for the winter.
Under initial proposals, Hywel Dda health board intended to postpone some non-urgent surgery until the spring. Following intense criticism, an apparent turnaround will now see surgery maintained at hospitals in Withybush, Llanelli and Aberystwyth - but with reduced capacity.
This week, it was also reported that staff at Withybush Hospital had been told that consultant and doctor-led care at the maternity unit will end next March.
Welsh Conservative Assembly Members have today called for the board's senior management to appear before the health and social services committee and answer questions over changes in frontline services.
Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said:
"Patients and their families deserve answers and it is only right that senior management appear before Assembly Members.
"In the interests of clarity, scrutiny, and transparency, committee members should have the chance to question health bosses and – in turn – health bosses should be given the opportunity to explain their decision-making.
"Patients on already overlong waiting lists have been left in limbo by recent developments in mid and west Wales.
"Serious question marks remain over recent changes to frontline services and an appearance before Assembly Members is overdue."
Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire, Paul Davies, said:
"Recent changes within Hywel Dda health board have left thousands in doubt and uncertainty.
"There are clear concerns that Withybush Hospital is being downgraded – to the detriment of local communities – and delaying operations will only fuel further waiting list chaos.
"The health board's decisions – and the process that has led to them - must be scrutinised in detail and senior management called to appear before Assembly Members."
Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Assembly Member, Angela Burns, said:
"The impact of current changes taking place within our NHS is as clear as mud.
"Clarity is urgently needed on the effects that will be felt by patients and their families and the process behind the health board's decision-making."
