Commenting on reports surrounding A and E services at Withybush hospital, local Assembly Member Paul Davies said, "I'm appalled that A and E services at Withybush hospital could be at risk. Once again the people of Pembrokeshire are being treated like second class citizens and it's quite clear that there is a drive to centralise services away from this area. I cannot make it any clearer – any moves to downgrade A and E services would be dangerous and would put lives at risk, which is totally unacceptable."
"The health board has promised the Health Minister that it can envisage no circumstances in which 24-hour emergency care at Withybush will not be provided – and there are serious concerns that this will no longer be the case.
"According to the local health board's statement, the sustainability of a full-time A and E department at the hospital appears to only be protected for the coming weeks, which is very worrying.
"I'm also shocked at the attempt to politicise these potential changes. The leaked report makes it clear that urgent plans are needed to get Withybush hospital through to May 2015, which, surprise surprise, is just after the general election. Once again, the people of Pembrokeshire are hearing about the future of local health services through leaked reports. The local health board should be open, clear and transparent in its dealings. My constituents deserve better than to hear about the future of their health services through leaked reports.
"The Welsh Government must urgently intervene to ensure that local health services at Withybush hospital stay put and I will be urging the Health Minister to come forward with a statement as a matter of urgency. If these proposals are true, then it is a scandal and an absolute disgrace."