Welsh Conservatives have called for an urgent statement from Labour’s Health Minister, as a report labels Glangwili Hospital’s maternity unit ‘not fit for purpose’.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has looked in depth at Labour’s NHS reorganisation in west Wales, including significant changes at Withybush, where care for the most premature and sick babies has been moved to Glangwili.

It has concluded that the hospital’s maternity ward is ‘not fit for purpose; it is too small, with insufficient facilities and provides a poor environment for women and staff.’

The full report has been published on Hywel Dda University Health Board’s website, ahead of a board meeting this week.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said:

“These are damning conclusions that must now be dealt with urgently.

“For mums-to-be – already being forced to travel further – this report will be extremely grim reading.

“Labour’s record-breaking NHS budget cuts have resulted in unwanted NHS reorganisation right across Wales.

“Despite the hard work of staff, it’s clear to me that changes to maternity services in west Wales continue to be dangerous and avoidable.”

Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire, Paul Davies, recently visited Glangwili Hospital and raised concerns over the facilities available to staff and patients.

He said:

“Despite the hard work of staff on the ward, the facilities at Glangwili are completely inadequate.

“Not only are Labour ministers forcing mothers in my constituency to travel further for treatment, they’re forcing them into a ward that’s not fit for purpose.

“Lives could be put at risk. The situation is that serious.

“I will continue to fight for the reintroduction of the special care baby unit at Withybush."

Assembly Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Angela Burns AM, said:

“Like all those reading this report, I am extremely distressed at the services awaiting mums-to-be at Glangwili.

“No matter how hard our determined staff work, their efforts will continue to be hamstrung by the facilities available.

“It cannot continue and the special care baby unit at Withybush Hospital must be reinstated.”