A CAMPAIGNER from Save Withybush says that plans for a new super-hospital serving the three counties of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire are hanging in the balance after it has beceome clear that the £1.3 billion requested by Hywel Dda University Health Board from the Welsh government has yet to been released.
In fact, in a meeting of Hywel Dda representatives last week (Wednesday) it was explained that Hywel Dda now find themselves in indirect competition with both Wrexham and Cardiff for the funding for both the new super-hospital, and the proposed new community health hub at Fishguard.
Worse still, the £1.3 billion bidding war between three health authorities which Hywel Dda now looks set to enter, could result in the Board losing its allocation bid, with the result it will find itself out of pocket.
The Save Withybush Campaign says that it has requested information on how Hywel Dda money is being allocated to ensure that Withybush Hospital can retain its services.
Wendy Ellis from the ‘Save Withybush Campaign’ says that even if funding was put in place now, we’re looking at a decade before the new super-hospital is completed.
She told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “We’re still at the point that even if they did get the £1.3billion to proceed, it will take up to ten years for the new hospital to be built.”
But that is not all Mrs Ellis explained to this newspaper that the the problem is being further exacerbated by the fact that monies allocated in past budgets for the maintenance of Withybush, but that maintenance has not been completed.
She added: “They’re now stating they have to spend £10 million on Withybush to maintain standards but with this comes the veiled threat that if the new hospital doesn’t go ahead, Withybush could not be sustainable in the long term.”
Mrs Ellis accused Hywel Dda of throwing money down the toilet. She said: “How much money have they already paid for scoping the proposed sites and all the accompanying administration costs and how much extra to they intend to pay before the Welsh Government makes its final decision?
“Hywel Dda has given the impression that the proposed changes are essential to maintain NHS services in this area so if their bid is not accepted, then they and the Welsh government are accepting a further deterioration in services.
“This is not going to help recruitment nor morale. It appears that Withybush is doomed, whether Hywel Dda wins or loses the bid.
“We are still awaiting information. A complete breakdown of costs on how much has already been spent by Hywel Dda concerning the proposed new hospital and community hubs was requested by Samuel Kurtz, the MS for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, back in July.
“Replies to this as well as the total amount spent by Hywel Dda on dentistry monies – we are still waiting.
“If Hywel Dda won’t answer a member of the Senedd, what hope have we got?” stressed a spokesperson for the ‘Save Withybush Campaign’.
“We live in such a wonderful county yet it appears that we’re being thrown to the dogs.”
Speaking earlier this year Lee Davies, director of strategic development and operational planning for Hywel Dda, said the board are aware of the ‘passion’ and ‘strength’ of feeling around plans to build a new hospital.
But Mr Davies called the proposed changes a ‘once-in-a-life-time investment’ into the health care services in west Wales.
Mr Davies said: “Our ambition is to move from a service that treats illness to one that keeps people well, prevents ill-health or worsening of ill health, and provides any help you need early on.
“We can also reassure the public that we have no plans or intention to close Withybush Hospital.
“We fully understand the passion and strength of feeling that exists in our communities.
“We share that passion, along with a commitment, to deliver the best possible care and services for people who live in mid and west Wales.”
Hywel Dda Health Board has been asked to comment on the latest development.
