Glamorgan Gazette - 4/10/12

http://southwaleslibdems.org.uk/en/article/2012/618345/now-we-need-to-fight-to-keep-key-services-at-princess-of-wales-hospital

Now we need to fight to keep key services at Princess of Wales Hospital

October 4, 2012 10:45 PM
By Peter Black in Glamorgan Gazette

The recent announcement by the local health board that they wish to engage with the public on how to reorganise key hospital services in South Wales means that we will have to fight to keep those facilities at Princess of Wales Hospital.
The proposals affect four services, obstetrics, Accident and Emergency, neo-natal and in-patient paediatrics. At present all of these are provided at nine hospitals across South Wales, including Princess of Wales.
The health board now propose that patients will only be able to access these services in four or five centres. These are Cardiff, one of the Swansea hospitals, one of the Gwent hospitals, and either one or two of Merthyr Tydfil, Princess of Wales or the Royal Glamorgan in Llantrisant.
If Bridgend loses out to the other two hospitals in that race, it will mean that Princess of Wales will be significantly downgraded. It could mean that the Accident and Emergency department will become a nurse-led cuts and bruises unit similar to that operating in Neath Port Talbot Hospital. I do not know whether it will remain open 24 hours, seven days a week.
Furthermore, if obstetrics is lost from Princess of Wales Hospital then the 30% of expectant mothers who need an obstetrician present during labour will have to go to either Merthyr Tydfil or Llantrisant to give birth. Furthermore if a child is premature and needs intensive care, treatment will also have to take place at one of those two hospitals.
The health board engagement is to last 12 weeks and ends on 19th December following which they will put together proposals. A formal consultation will start in January..
The health board argue that these decisions are being driven by the need to deliver safe and secure services. However, accessibility must be taken into account. Local people deserve local services.
We cannot afford to have our hospital downgraded through the loss of important services. A 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fully functional Accident and Emergency department is essential. We cannot expect sick or badly injured patients or expectant mothers to have to travel to Llantrisant or Merthyr Tydfi.
As yet there are no concrete proposals in front of us, just a statement of intent. That is why it is essential that as many local people engage with this process as possible. We need to fight to keep these services local and accessible to the people of Bridgend.
Tell them what you think at sendusyourviews@nhs.co.uk or write to ABMU Health Board, One Talbot Gateway, Baglan Energy Park, Port Talbot, SA12 7BR.