Pembrokeshire Politicians, Stephen Crabb MP and Paul Davies AM, have sent out a last reminder to local residents calling on them to respond to the Health board consultation before it closes on Monday 29th October.

Both Stephen and Paul have been actively involved with the campaign to retain key services at Withybush Hospital and launched their own petition following an overwhelming response from the community about the proposed changes to the Special Care Baby Unit at the Hospital.

Both politicians have sent in their responses to the consultation calling for greater support to enable access to health services to be kept local to Pembrokeshire. Their feedback to the consultation follows their comments made at the recent public meeting held at Sir Thomas Picton School, criticizing the health board's proposals. They highlighted the need for greater transparency and confidence in the health board's vision for services across the region.

There is widespread feeling that more access should be available locally, given Pembrokeshire's rural location on the periphery of the health board area. The concern has been building following the publishing of the health board recommendations which see centres of excellence and key services being transferred to hospitals in other areas of the Hywel Dda region.

Stephen Crabb MP said,

"This consultation has serious consequences for everyone living in the area. We all know a family member who will need to access health services at Withybush at some point in their lives. We need to be certain that access to the very best possible care is available at the time that it is needed, without having to travel unacceptably long distances miles."

"I urge everyone to take part in the consultation before the chance is lost. We need to join together to make a strong case for Pembrokeshire. I want our community's needs and interests to be considered first and foremost as health services are carved up across the region."

Paul Davies AM said,

"This is a final opportunity for the people of Pembrokeshire to feed into the consultation before it closes. It is vital that residents do not miss this opportunity because this is an excellent chance for everyone's voices to be heard and for us all work together on this to ensure that Pembrokeshire's interests are protected. "

"I am a firm believer in local health services for local people. Any proposals to take key services away from Withybush hospital is simply unacceptable."