Board defers decision over hospital plans |
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News from Carmarthen -- Board defers decision over hospital plans |
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12/09/2006 Board defers decision over hospital plans |
| A NEW delay on deciding the future of Welsh hospital services was branded a "cynical ploy," yesterday. |
Controversial plans to downgrade Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, were shelved because of a huge public outcry during the consultation period.
And the future of Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth and West Wales General in Glangwili, Carmarthen, also remains in the balance.
But no alternatives were decided on by the Mid and West Wales Acute Services Review Board, which revealed its recommendations yesterday.
Some opponents of the closures said the reviewers should go "back to the drawing board" and feared the decision would leave hospitals "in limbo".
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Board defers decision over hospital plansSep 12 2006
Sam Burson, Western Mail
A NEW delay on deciding the future of Welsh hospital services was branded a "cynical ploy," yesterday.
Controversial plans to downgrade Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, were shelved because of a huge public outcry during the consultation period.
And the future of Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth and West Wales General in Glangwili, Carmarthen, also remains in the balance.
But no alternatives were decided on by the Mid and West Wales Acute Services Review Board, which revealed its recommendations yesterday.
Some opponents of the closures said the reviewers should go "back to the drawing board" and feared the decision would leave hospitals "in limbo".
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The body, which did recommend a new hospital in Swansea to combine the duties of Morriston and Singleton, spent four months consulting on how to deliver what it says would be world-class acute services over the next decade.
It also proposed the merger of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion NHS Trusts into one larger body, and said local health boards should work more closely together.
The most contentious part of the proposals had been to centralise services for the old Dyfed county either at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, or at a brand new hospital halfway between Carmarthen and Haverfordwest.
Yesterday's recommendation to continue consultation is an apparent reprieve for the threatened hospitals, but some accused the board of merely bottling out of the unpopular strategy.
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