Plans to downgrade full time paediatric services at Withybush hospital to a 12 hour model have been condemned by local AM Paul Davies.

Following the Health Minister’s decision to close the Special Care Baby Unit at Withybush Hospital, a Clinical Services Strategy report was approved by the local health board which backed proposals previously put forward to establish a Complex Obstetric Unit (COU) alongside a Paediatric High Dependency Unit at Glangwili Hospital.

Mr Davies said: “This is yet another devastating blow for the people of Pembrokeshire. These plans to downgrade services are not wanted by clinicians or by the public. Removing services from Withybush Hospital remains a reckless and irresponsible way forward and will put lives at risk.”

He added: “The Minister made assurances that Withybush Hospital would continue to serve its local population and have a secure and significant place in Pembrokeshire’s health service. This latest announcement flies in the face of that as the people of Pembrokeshire are watching services being cut from Withybush hospital. I urge the Minister to intervene now and stop these dangerous plans from going ahead.”