This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/5332626.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hospital reform plans may stall | Hospital reform plans may stall |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Plans to reorganise hospital services across mid and west Wales may be stalled because of fierce opposition from the public. | |
Proposals to centralise NHS services in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire have brought protests from patients and staff. | |
A four-month public consultation has now taken place and the review board is to publish its recommendations. | A four-month public consultation has now taken place and the review board is to publish its recommendations. |
But plans for a new Swansea hospital are still expected to go through. | |
Health changes planned in mid and west Wales would affect eight hospitals serving 1m people. | |
The most contentious question has been what to do in the old county of Dyfed, which at the moment has three large hospitals. | |
'Lacked details' | 'Lacked details' |
The idea of centralising services to one main "super hospital" halfway between Withybush in Haverfordwest and the West Wales General in Carmarthen triggered marches in Haverfordwest and Aberystwyth, uniting staff and patients. | |
Community health councils (CHCs) in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire criticised the proposals, saying they lacked "meaningful and significant detail". | Community health councils (CHCs) in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire criticised the proposals, saying they lacked "meaningful and significant detail". |
They said many patients would travel greater distances and predicted strong and vocal opposition from the public ahead of the public consultation. | They said many patients would travel greater distances and predicted strong and vocal opposition from the public ahead of the public consultation. |
An action group, Save Withybush Action Team, promised to continue the fight against downgrading. | |
In the face of such strong opposition, it is thought the review board cannot do anything but pass on the Dyfed question for now, which could delay any decision by months, if not years. | In the face of such strong opposition, it is thought the review board cannot do anything but pass on the Dyfed question for now, which could delay any decision by months, if not years. |
Other reorganisation plans are likely to be pushed forward - including joining two of Wales' largest hospitals - Morriston and Singleton - by creating a new hospital in Swansea. | Other reorganisation plans are likely to be pushed forward - including joining two of Wales' largest hospitals - Morriston and Singleton - by creating a new hospital in Swansea. |
Local health boards will be asked to vote on the review board's proposals. |