Hospital shake-up plans for west Wales

People in west Wales will get a say on how their health service is run from today.

Hywel Dda Healthboard has announced a number of proposals for changing the system.

Each of the three options involve Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest losing its status as a round-the-clock general hospital.

Glangwili hospital in Carmarthen would also lose its A&E department.

However the health authority says a new hospital, including an A&E, would be built somewhere near the Carmarthenshire-Pembrokeshire border.

Glanwili Hospital could lose its A&E department. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

In a public consultation document published today the health board says reducing the number of main hospitals will mean:

  • Less of a difference in standards of care in different parts of our area to make things more equal for people

  • Shorter waiting times and fewer cancellations

  • More money for local and community health services

Health board members meet today to discuss the three proposals. If they are approved they will be put to public consultation over the next three months. The board will make a final decision in the autumn of 2018.

Withybush Hospital could be downgraded. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

The Three Proposals:

  • Bronglais District General Hospital will continue to provide services for mid Wales.

  • A new hospital will be built somewhere between Narberth and St Clears, providing urgent care.

  • There will be 10 community hubs.

PROPOSAL A

PROPOSAL A Credit: Hywel Dda Health Board

  • RED: A new urgent care and planned care hospital between Narberth and St Clears

  • YELLOW: Community hospitals in:

  • Glangwili in Carmarthen

  • Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli

  • Withybush in Haverfordwest

  • PINK: A general hospital in Bronglais, Aberystwyth

PROPOSAL B

PROPOSAL B Credit: Hywel Dda Health Board

  • RED: A new urgent care and planned care hospital between Narberth and St Clears

  • YELLOW: Community hospitals in: Glangwili in Carmarthen, Withybush in Haverfordwest,

  • PINK: General hospitals at: Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, Bronglais, in Aberystwyth

PROPOSAL C

PROPOSAL C Credit: Hywel Dda Health Board

  • RED: A new urgent care hospital between Narberth and St Clears

  • BLUE: A new planned care hospital on Glangwili site in Carmarthen

  • YELLOW: Community hospital in Withybush in Haverfordwest

  • PINK: General hospitals at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, Bronglais in Aberystwyth

Credit: PA

What will community hubs provide?

  • A range of health and care services - particularly for older, frail and vulnerable people

  • Advice and support

  • Some treatment that used to bed done in hospital

  • Some will have minor injury units and some won’t and some will have beds and some won’t.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION SESSIONS:

  • Friday 4th May 2pm - 7pm / The Great Hall, Guildhall, Cardigan SA43 1JL

  • Tuesday 8th May 2pm - 7pm / St Peter’s Civic Hall, Carmarthen SA31 1PG

  • Friday 11th May 2pm - 7pm / Regency Hall, Saundersfoot SA69 9NG

  • Tuesday 15th May 2pm - 7pm / Letterston Memorial Hall, Letterston SA62 5RY

  • Friday 18th May 2pm - 7pm / Morlan Centre, Aberystwyth SY23 2HH

  • Tuesday 22nd May 2pm - 7pm / Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli SA15 3AE

  • Thursday 24th May 2pm - 7pm / Llandybie Memorial Hall, Llandybie SA18 3UR