Decision looms for nine health services

HEALTH bosses will consider potential changes to healthcare services across the region at a special meeting next month.

- IAN LEWIS Reporter

Last summer Hywel Dda University Health Board consulted with people on nine healthcare services to improve access and standards, waiting times and deal with current challenges under its Clinical Services Plan. Services under review across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are critical Care, dermatology, emergency general surgery, endoscopy, ophthalmology, elective orthopaedics, radiology, stroke and urology.

Mark Henwood, executive medical director at the health board, said: “We know that these services are fragile and cannot continue as they are. Our clinical teams are spread across multiple sites and recruitment is an issue across the NHS. Our hospitals require ongoing maintenance, with some parts approaching or having reached the end of their intended lifespan. We need to make decisions on the changes needed to address these fragilities, so our services raise standards and meet the needs of our population into the future.”

An independent consultation report prepared by Opinion Research Services (ORS) has now been received and is available to read on the health board's website. The report summarises feedback from the public consultation, including more than 4,000 questionnaire responses alongside views gathered at public events, staff meetings and stakeholder sessions. More than 4,000 people also attended events and meetings to share their views.