Changes to maternity services at Withybush would be a 'catastrophic mistake' that could have a hugely damaging impact on families across Pembrokeshire.

In a Welsh Conservative debate on Wednesday (November 27th), Assembly Members will argue that the Labour government must take action to secure the future of core services at the hospital and work with Hywel Dda Health board to ensure its plans are effectively communicated.

The debate – currently scheduled to begin in the Welsh Parliament shortly after 3pm – follows recent reports surrounding the end of consultant and doctor-led care at Withybush hospital's maternity unit.

Speaking to BBC Wales, a consultant obstetrician confirmed that staff had been told of a decision to centralise consultant and doctor-led maternity services at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen. This would mean a much longer journey for many patients with complicated pregnancies.

The Welsh Government's 'Strategic Vision for Maternity Services' - published in September 2011 – states: 'Ensuring every woman in Wales... has access to and receives safe high quality care, as close to home as possible, is paramount'.

The hospital's emergency department also faces downgrading.

Hywel Dda Health Board has said no decision has been made and confusion and worry persists for communities across Pembrokeshire.

Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said:

"Downgrading core services at Withybush would be a catastrophic mistake.

"It is completely unfair to force a mum-to-be – already dealing with a complicated pregnancy – to travel much further for treatment.

"This flies in the face of Labour's own vision for maternity services and the health board's plans must be urgently clarified by the minister.

"Labour's legacy of record-breaking NHS budget cuts is having a devastating impact on frontline services.

"Patients should not be forced to travel further for treatment and services must not be downgraded."

Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire, Paul Davies, said:

"Confusion and worry currently overshadows communities across Pembrokeshire and I urge Carwyn Jones to intervene.

"Centralising services in Carmarthen will add tens of miles to patient journeys and communities here will be hit disproportionately.

"It's about time Mr Jones and Welsh Labour got a grip on the NHS they lead and I will continue to oppose any plans to cut the accident and emergency department and maternity services at Withybush Hospital."

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

"If staff have been told of these disastrous changes – the Labour minister must move to clarify them immediately. We need a clear and unambiguous statement of intent from the Minister and the Health Board.

"We are in danger of death by a 1,000 cuts being inflicted upon the hospital and thereby on the people of West Wales.

"We all deserve access to a first class NHS without having to undergo the tortuous journeys so many of my constituents are beginning to have to do for basic treatments like a cancer check-up or scan."