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BBC Cymru Wales poll finds hospital changes opposed BBC Cymru Wales poll finds hospital changes opposed
(about 3 hours later)
Public opinion appears to be hardening against changing the way hospital services are delivered, a poll for BBC Cymru Wales suggests.Public opinion appears to be hardening against changing the way hospital services are delivered, a poll for BBC Cymru Wales suggests.
Three quarters of people responding wanted district general hospitals to keep the current range of services.Three quarters of people responding wanted district general hospitals to keep the current range of services.
Fewer than a quarter of those polled said patients should leave their local area for care, even on quality grounds.Fewer than a quarter of those polled said patients should leave their local area for care, even on quality grounds.
But an NHS leader has insisted change is necessary claiming health service resources are being spread too thinly.But an NHS leader has insisted change is necessary claiming health service resources are being spread too thinly.
The poll suggests that the Welsh government has failed to convince voters of the need to reconfigure the services offered at district general hospitals.The poll suggests that the Welsh government has failed to convince voters of the need to reconfigure the services offered at district general hospitals.
By an overwhelming margin it found people want their local hospitals to continue to provide their current range of services.By an overwhelming margin it found people want their local hospitals to continue to provide their current range of services.
If anything, opposition to reconfiguration has grown since similar polls commissioned by the NHS Confederation in 2011 and 2012.If anything, opposition to reconfiguration has grown since similar polls commissioned by the NHS Confederation in 2011 and 2012.
With pressure growing on the government to call in planned changes to hospital services in North Wales the opposition parties are certain to cite the poll as proof of the plans unpopularity.With pressure growing on the government to call in planned changes to hospital services in North Wales the opposition parties are certain to cite the poll as proof of the plans unpopularity.
Meanwhile, Welsh political leaders continue to be far more popular than their UK counterparts.Meanwhile, Welsh political leaders continue to be far more popular than their UK counterparts.
While Carwyn Jones fails to achieve the stratospheric ratings of Rhodri Morgan his satisfaction rating of plus 34 is in stark contrast to Ed Milliband's -19, suggesting many Labour supporters in Wales have yet to be convinced of his effectiveness.While Carwyn Jones fails to achieve the stratospheric ratings of Rhodri Morgan his satisfaction rating of plus 34 is in stark contrast to Ed Milliband's -19, suggesting many Labour supporters in Wales have yet to be convinced of his effectiveness.
Betsan Powys: What you think of reshaping the NHSBetsan Powys: What you think of reshaping the NHS
Local health boards have been drawing up proposals to shake-up services, some of which have sparked protests.Local health boards have been drawing up proposals to shake-up services, some of which have sparked protests.
Welsh government ministers have said district general hospitals (DGHs) will not be downgraded, but have insisted that services must change in order to be "safe and sustainable".Welsh government ministers have said district general hospitals (DGHs) will not be downgraded, but have insisted that services must change in order to be "safe and sustainable".
First Minister Carwyn Jones has even warned the health service will "collapse" without reform.First Minister Carwyn Jones has even warned the health service will "collapse" without reform.
However, the ICM/BBC Cymru Wales poll of 1,000 adults found 74% thought it was important for DGHs to continue to provide the current range of services to the local community.However, the ICM/BBC Cymru Wales poll of 1,000 adults found 74% thought it was important for DGHs to continue to provide the current range of services to the local community.
When asked whether patients should be prepared to travel outside their local areas if it meant the quality of some services improved, only 24% agreed. When asked whether patients should be prepared to travel outside their local areas if it meant the quality of some services improved, only 23% agreed.
A separate poll conducted by YouGov for the Welsh NHS in November last year found a narrower split between the 57% of people who were totally opposed to concentrating services in fewer, larger hospitals and the 29% who strongly supported the idea.A separate poll conducted by YouGov for the Welsh NHS in November last year found a narrower split between the 57% of people who were totally opposed to concentrating services in fewer, larger hospitals and the 29% who strongly supported the idea.
Welsh NHS Confederation director Helen Birtwhistle said the health service could not continue to provide all the services currently on offer in every district general hospital.Welsh NHS Confederation director Helen Birtwhistle said the health service could not continue to provide all the services currently on offer in every district general hospital.
"We can't spread our resources thinly any longer," she said."We can't spread our resources thinly any longer," she said.
"We're struggling in terms of the numbers of patients that are seen so that means that people can't keep up their skill levels."We're struggling in terms of the numbers of patients that are seen so that means that people can't keep up their skill levels.
"We're struggling in some places with the numbers of doctors and specialist staff, and the fact that we're spreading everybody far too thinly over far too many sites means that people are simply not getting the best quality service that they can expect and should be demanding."We're struggling in some places with the numbers of doctors and specialist staff, and the fact that we're spreading everybody far too thinly over far too many sites means that people are simply not getting the best quality service that they can expect and should be demanding.
"And we are adamant that services must change, and the reason they must change is to improve the quality of those services for patients.""And we are adamant that services must change, and the reason they must change is to improve the quality of those services for patients."
ICM also found:ICM also found:
  • 36% of people wanted a more powerful Welsh assembly, 20% thought the institution should be abolished and 9% thought Wales should be an independent country outside the UK.
  • 66% thought the assembly should have at least some tax-varying powers.
  • 47% said the Welsh assembly should be responsible for policing, 27% said it should remain with the UK government and 21% said it should be the responsibility of local councils.
  • Carwyn Jones had by far the highest approval rating among Welsh and UK political leaders. 55% thought he was doing a good job, compared to 21% who said he was doing a bad job - an approval rating of plus 34 points. David Cameron scored -22, Ed Miliband -19 and Nick Clegg -42. Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies scored -5, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams plus 2 and Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood plus 14.
  • 46% of people thought Wales was getting its fair share of UK government public spending cuts, while 36% thought Wales was being hit harder than it should.
  • 36% of people wanted a more powerful Welsh assembly, 20% thought the institution should be abolished and 9% thought Wales should be an independent country outside the UK.
  • 66% thought the assembly should have at least some tax-varying powers.
  • 47% said the Welsh assembly should be responsible for policing, 27% said it should remain with the UK government and 21% said it should be the responsibility of local councils.
  • Carwyn Jones had by far the highest approval rating among Welsh and UK political leaders. 55% thought he was doing a good job, compared to 21% who said he was doing a bad job - an approval rating of plus 34 points. David Cameron scored -22, Ed Miliband -19 and Nick Clegg -42. Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies scored -5, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams plus 2 and Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood plus 14.
  • 46% of people thought Wales was getting its fair share of UK government public spending cuts, while 36% thought Wales was being hit harder than it should.
ICM spoke to 1,000 Welsh adults on the phone between 20 and 25 February.ICM spoke to 1,000 Welsh adults on the phone between 20 and 25 February.