Twenty percent of all the responses to the Wales‐wide consultation on the merger of Community Health Councils (CHCs) have come from Pembrokeshire, proving the strength of feeling on the issue, says local AM Paul Davies.
The Welsh Assembly Government plans to scrap Pembrokeshire CHC and merge it with Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire's health watchdogs. The consultation into the proposals has just finished and despite all 19 CHCs in Wales being under threat by far the most responses have come from West Wales.
"Pembrokeshire saw one of the best‐attended public meetings about the merger and we have also had a higher percentage of submissions than any other county," said Mr Davies.
"This reveals the true depth of feeling against this proposal.
"Statistically‐speaking, as just one of 19 CHCs under threat you would expect just five per cent of the responses to come from this area. The fact that it's more like 20 per cent shows the high level of support and respect that Pembrokeshire residents have for our CHC."
The new West Wales CHC is due to come into force on October 1 and would set up three area associations (one for each county) which would form the new CHC committee and advise on local issues. "The fear is that in all likelihood these area associations will have diluted power and the larger organisation will be calling he shots," added Mr Davies.
"Pembrokeshire CHC does a fantastic job of representing patients in the County and should be left alone to get on with the job. Once again we are seeing another layer of unnecessary bureaucracy is being introduced."
Chief Officer of Pembrokeshire CHC Ashley Warlow said that all of the submissions to the consultation should soon be posted on the Welsh Assembly website.
"I am delighted with the response that has come in from Pembrokeshire," he added.
"Obviously not every submission will be calling for the CHC to stay and I am aware that some of the responses from the local heath organisations are less supportive.
"However, Patients' Groups, Town Councils, the County Council and individuals have all backed us."