Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies attended a Hywel Dda health board public meeting to discuss their reorganisation plans, last night at Sir Thomas Picton School in Haverfordwest. The meeting was attended by up to 500 people to hear the proposals put forward by the local health board.

Mr Davies said, "I am encouraged that so many people came to the public meeting last night to take a stand against the health board's plans. There were certainly strong feelings aired throughout the room, particularly over the proposal to close the special care baby unit at Withybush hospital. Clinicians have already told us closing the special care baby unit could put lives at risk in my constituency. The people of Pembrokeshire have spoken loud and clear on this issue. I am a firm believer in local health services for local people. My constituents should not have to travel even further for lifesaving services."

He added, "I made a contribution to the meeting and made the point that Hywel Dda health board must prove that this consultation is meaningful. The people of Pembrokeshire are rightly sceptical over the health board's consultation exercise and it is vital that the health board listens to residents' concerns and takes their views into consideration. Anything less is unacceptable."