Welsh Conservatives have condemned a move by the previous Health Minister to effectively ignore a watchdog's referral and 'bounce it back to them.'

On the day of her removal from the position, Lesley Griffiths wrote to Assembly Members informing them that the Community Health Council for mid and west Wales would be told to 'work with the LHB to agree how such services can be maintained within available resources.'

It follows the watchdog's decision to refer the board's plans for reorganisation to the Minister.

The now Local Government Minister went on to say that the CHC's submission 'fails to satisfy key requirements of the national guidance on service change.'

Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM said:

"This move is a disgraceful ignorance of ministerial accountability.

"It beggars belief that the views of a watchdog representing the public can be so blatantly disregarded.

"This is effectively bouncing the referral back to the watchdog and avoiding any responsibility.

"I hope the new health minister – whose appointment is welcome – will take a far more appropriate approach to an issue that affects many thousands of people."

Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire Paul Davies said:

"The old minister has done little more than pass the buck and it is no surprise that she has been shifted from her portfolio.

"Her refusal to stand accountable is a sad indictment of a Labour government completely out of touch with Pembrokeshire.

"I urge the new minister to review this decision and look very carefully at the health board's unnecessary plans."