THE PRIME MINISTER has said that she shares the worries and concerns of Pembrokeshire people over plans to downgrade Withybush General Hospital and to remove A&E services.
Theresa May said that concern is being felt, especially by those who live furthest away from the site of a planned new hospital between Narberth and St Clears.
Mrs May said: “Health is a devolved matter for the Labour Welsh Government. But I would urge The Welsh Government fully to consider the impact of these changes on local residents”
She added: “We want to be able to ensure that people can access the services they need wherever they live in the United Kingdom.”
The words of support for healthcare provision in Pembrokeshire were in response to a question by raised Stephen Crabb MP in Parliament this week.
The Member of Preseli Pembrokeshire called for Welsh Government to look again at plans to close A&E at Pembrokeshire’s general hospital.
He said: “For rural communities, access to emergency care is hugely important with distance and journey times extremely crucial.”
His question was: “Does the prime minster therefore agree with me and the 40,000 Pembrokeshire people who have signed the petition against proposals to remove the A&E from the local hospital that Welsh Government need to look again at this and ensure that communities like this aren’t left with second class services that put lives at risk?”
Following Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Stephen Crabb told The Herald: “Access to emergency care in rural areas of huge importance and distances and journey times are crucial. I’m pleased the Prime Minister has urged the Welsh Labour Government to think of the impact these changes would have on local residents, changes which would leave Pembrokeshire with second class services that put lives at risk.”
