Hywel Dda opens consultation on controversial hospital reorganisation plans

Hywel Dda University Health Board, which covers Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, has opened a consultation on their plans to downgrade existing hospital facilities in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest, replacing them with a new-build hospital close to St Clears.

The health board published their plans in 2018 in a strategy called ‘A Healthier Mid and West Wales: Our Future Generations Living Well‘.

However, the coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on health and care services. As a result, the health board now says it wants to learn from the public about how the pandemic has affected their health and care, and access to it.

Hywel Dda is also asking for feedback to its plans to develop and build a new hospital in the south of the Hywel Dda area, somewhere between and including St Clears, in Carmarthenshire, and Narberth, in Pembrokeshire.

This location, the health board claims, is the most central for most of the population in the south of the Hywel Dda area. Something that it says was determined through the public consultation held in 2018.

Nominate sites must be within the zone between and including St Clears in Carmarthenshire and Narberth in Pembrokeshire, and be a minimum of 35 acres of reasonably developable land.

The health board says any potential sites should also have realistic prospects of obtaining planning permission for a new hospital, and have appropriate transport infrastructure for a major hospital site.

Steve Moore, Chief Executive of Hywel Dda UHB, said: “The global pandemic has had a major impact on all areas of our lives so it’s crucial that the health board considers, reflects and learns from this extraordinary period. This engagement exercise will allow the public to tell us in their own words how COVID-19 has affected their health and care, and access to it.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to participate because the feedback we receive will play a major role in helping shape future services. This in turn will allow us to deliver on our long-term commitment for a healthier mid and west Wales.

“I would also stress that this engagement exercise is part of an ongoing process. Over the coming months and years, we plan to engage with the public, stakeholders and partners on a wide variety of issues, such as service models. Everyone will have their chance to give their views and opinions because we are committed to continuous engagement with the public to ensure we provide the best possible care.”

The consultation runs until Monday 21 June 2021 and can be accessed online, by emailing hyweldda.engagement@wales.nhs.uk or calling 01554 899 056.