Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies recently raised Hywel Dda University Health Board’s plans to transform services in the Assembly Chamber with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services. Mr Davies reiterated his opposition to any plans that would see services downgraded from Withybush hospital or the hospital removed in its entirety. In responding to the question, the Cabinet Secretary refused to give any details but confirmed that he’d had broad conversations with the Health Board about its plans.

Mr Davies said, “The future of services at Withybush hospital continues to be one of the biggest issues facing people living in Pembrokeshire and so I make no apology for continuing to raise this matter with Welsh Government Ministers. We know that the Health Board will shortly be consulting on their plans to transform services and so it’s important that the Welsh Government confirms that funding has been put aside for each of the options. I remain completely opposed to any plans that will result in services being removed from the hospital and any plans that will see the hospital being closed down completely. I’m also sceptical that the options put forward will be affordable and it’s essential that the health board and the Welsh Government confirm the affordability of each of the options alongside the consultation. The Cabinet Secretary refused to confirm whether the Welsh Government has guaranteed that funding will be made available for whichever options the local health board decides and so it begs the question, if the Welsh Government cannot guarantee the funding, then what is the point of consulting on any options at all?”