Background

Let me start by saying this is not an official Princess of Wales Hospital Page, the purpose of this page is to mobilise support against any future downgrade that may occur as part of the current review of Health Services in South Wales. Nothing has been decided as yet, but whilst there is a period of engagement with the public over this issue I wanted to ensure the strength of feeling against thes e proposals is heard. Unfortunately for many reasons people will be unable to attend public consulation/engagement meetings, and therefore felt it was important that a page like this existed. My name is Ian Spiller, I am not a part of the NHS or Princess of Wales Hospital, I am merely a member of the public, who, like you, will be affected by these changes. ABM Health Board believes that dangling a carrot regarding the possiblility of Princess of Wales becoming a regional centre of excellence is enough to prevent the current outcry against their policies, they are mistaken. The public are not fools! Background: The five health boards in South Wales (Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Aneurin Bevan, Cardiff and Vale, Cwm Taf and Powys) on 26th September 2012 launched a 12 week programme of engagement with the public to hear what people think about the issues facing some specialist hospital services in the region. The health boards have been working together to examine the issues facing consultant led obstetric, paediatric, neonatal and accident & emergency services in South Wales. In short this will mean the downgrading of 1 or 2 hospitals either the Princess of Wales, Bridgend, The Royal Glamorgan, Llantrisant or The Prince Charles, Merthyr Tydfil. The NHS in Wales is devolved which means decisions like this are made in Cardiff not in London, as an town/county borough, we must fight for our local services, and ensure our voices are heard. We must ensure our local politicians go to battle for us, to protect what is essential. In an emergency time is of the essence, we need more local services, better funded hospitals, more staff on wards. The answer is not to centralise and put lives in danger. PLEASE JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE PRINCESS OF WALES FROM BEING DOWNGRADED! Many Thanks Ian Spiller