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Coffin demo over surgery switch Coffin demo over surgery switch
(1 day later)
Coffin-carrying protesters have staged a demonstration and rally in Llanelli over the end of emergency surgery at the town's Prince Philip Hospital.Coffin-carrying protesters have staged a demonstration and rally in Llanelli over the end of emergency surgery at the town's Prince Philip Hospital.
The marchers included supporters dressed as undertakers and the Grim Reaper as they walked through the Carmarthenshire town.The marchers included supporters dressed as undertakers and the Grim Reaper as they walked through the Carmarthenshire town.
Health Minister Brian Gibbons has ordered an inquiry into why operations have been moved to Carmarthen.Health Minister Brian Gibbons has ordered an inquiry into why operations have been moved to Carmarthen.
Carmarthenshire NHS Trust has said the move is to protect patient safety.Carmarthenshire NHS Trust has said the move is to protect patient safety.
All parties have supported the change in health and the need for reconfiguration throughout Wales, not just Labour. But we have to look at the detail of that Catherine Thomas, Llanelli Labour AMAll parties have supported the change in health and the need for reconfiguration throughout Wales, not just Labour. But we have to look at the detail of that Catherine Thomas, Llanelli Labour AM
For the past four years emergency surgery has only been carried out at Prince Philip between 9am - 5pm.For the past four years emergency surgery has only been carried out at Prince Philip between 9am - 5pm.
Now all such operations have been switched to the West Wales General Hospital, some 20 miles (32km) away.Now all such operations have been switched to the West Wales General Hospital, some 20 miles (32km) away.
The Royal College of Surgeons had previously recommended centralising emergency operations at one of the two hospitals.The Royal College of Surgeons had previously recommended centralising emergency operations at one of the two hospitals.
After the trust announced that it would go ahead, Dr Gibbons announced an inquiry.After the trust announced that it would go ahead, Dr Gibbons announced an inquiry.
Recently, emergency surgery has only been in office hours in LlanelliRecently, emergency surgery has only been in office hours in Llanelli
That prompted opposition accusations of Labour electioneering in Wales' most marginal assembly seat ahead of the elections in May.That prompted opposition accusations of Labour electioneering in Wales' most marginal assembly seat ahead of the elections in May.
But Llanelli Labour AM Catherine Thomas, who has a majority of just 21, has said she wanted an investigation regardless of the elections.But Llanelli Labour AM Catherine Thomas, who has a majority of just 21, has said she wanted an investigation regardless of the elections.
Ms Thomas said: "All parties have supported the change in health and the need for reconfiguration throughout Wales, not just Labour. But we have to look at the detail of that and what happens on the ground."Ms Thomas said: "All parties have supported the change in health and the need for reconfiguration throughout Wales, not just Labour. But we have to look at the detail of that and what happens on the ground."
Plaid Cymru's Helen Mary Jones called on Dr Gibbons to send a senior civil trust into the trust to manage it. Plaid Cymru's Helen Mary Jones called on Dr Gibbons to send a senior civil servant into the trust to manage it.
"As you can see, people have lost all faith in the decision-making.""As you can see, people have lost all faith in the decision-making."
The trust has said that failing to change would put patients into "immediate and serious jeopardy".The trust has said that failing to change would put patients into "immediate and serious jeopardy".
Health chiefs have also argued that it would allow them to develop Prince Philip Hospital as their main site for elective surgery "with immense benefits".Health chiefs have also argued that it would allow them to develop Prince Philip Hospital as their main site for elective surgery "with immense benefits".