Hywel Dda Health Board plans looking to secure and develop health services in Ceredigion welcomed by MP and AM
Elin Jones and Ben Lake have welcomed the recommendations made by Hywel Dda Health Board regarding Ceredigion, as part of its Transforming Clinical Services and ‘Big Change’ consultation.
All three of the options being considered by Hywel Dda Health Board see Bronglais continue to be a fully functioning General Hospital, with a 24-hour A&E, intensive care, general surgery, general medicine, trauma and orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatric, anaesthetic and diagnostic services.
Plans also show the will to work with Aberystwyth University and other university partners in order to develop opportunities to ‘grow our own’ rural workforce for Bronglais District General Hospital and its communities.
The consultation document also reveals plans to develop a network of community hubs across the region, which in Ceredigion include Aberaeron, Tregaron, Cardigan and Aberystwyth.
Elin Jones said:
"Over the last few years, we’ve had to prove the case for Bronglais to the Welsh Government and Hywel Dda Health Board several times.
"The Longley report acknowledged this, and confirmed the strategic location of Bronglais, and the need to ensure equality of access for rural citizens. I've no doubt that the community's campaign to defend Bronglais has been instrumental in persuading those in Carmarthen and Cardiff that Bronglais is an essential link in the network of hospitals in Wales.
"The Health Board’s current strategic review reaffirms the need to maintain and develop services at Bronglais, and goes further in committing to developing health services at major points throughout Ceredigion, with community hubs in Tregaron, Cardigan and Aberaeron, and also a community hub in Aberystwyth, which would be able to ease pressure on Bronglais.
"I’m also very pleased to see a commitment to working closely with Aberystwyth University’s Centre for Rural Health, in order to develop local staff and training opportunities.
"These plans show a concerted effort to tackle long term health issues in Ceredigion, however, I will be keen to discuss how any proposals for change to hospitals in the south will affect services for people in the Teifi valley. The location of any new hospital is a vital consideration in this area.’
Ben Lake said:
“It’s reassuring that in all three of the proposals being considered by Hywel Dda, Bronglais continues to have an important role in providing essential services to constituents in Ceredigion.
“I appreciate the significant time and effort health board staff have invested in this project and we know they have worked hard to try to produce a positive vision for a health and wellbeing service fit for the future.
“It is now vital that local people have their say and take part in this 12-week consultation process, to ensure that all future healthcare plans are tailored to address Ceredigion’s needs. We need to show just how highly-valued our local hospital and health services are to our rural communities.”
How can you get involved?
Hywel Dda University Health Board are holding two public drop in events in Ceredigion. They will be informal drop in events and constituents are welcome to attend any time between 2pm and 7pm to find out more information and to share views and ideas.
- 2pm - 7pm, 4 May, The Great Hall, Guildhall, Cardigan
- 2pm - 7pm, 18 May, Morlan Centre, Aberystwyth
For more information go to www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Hddchange