Following the news of the closure of the remaining beds at Cardigan Hospital, Elin Jones, AM for Ceredigion, has raised the matter in an Assembly debate.

The Party of Wales AM demanded that the Welsh Government make a statement on how Hywel Dda Health Board was able to down-grade services in the Cardigan area without consultation.

Elin Jones, local AM for Ceredigion and Plaid Cymru shadow health minister, said,

“The decision to close the remaining beds in Cardigan Hospital was deplorable, and the way it was done – a gradual run-down of the service followed by Monday’s official announcement – leaves many unanswered questions.

“Usually when health services are reconfigured, Health Boards have to undertake a consultation. This decision will have a knock-on effect on GPs and on local authorities in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire in terms of care home and community provision. It has also left patients and their relatives in a very uncertain position, not to mention the staff who work at Cardigan Hospital.

“I have asked the Welsh Government for a statement on whether Health Boards are simply allowed to change services overnight in this way, without consultation. In my opinion, this is totally unacceptable.”