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Protest over Withybush hospital special care baby unit closure plan | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Hundreds of protesters are marching against plans to centralise specialist care for babies born in west Wales. | |
The changes would mean that the special care baby unit at Withybush hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, would close. | The changes would mean that the special care baby unit at Withybush hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, would close. |
Hywel Dda health board said the changes - announced by the health minister on Tuesday - would provide a better level of care. | Hywel Dda health board said the changes - announced by the health minister on Tuesday - would provide a better level of care. |
But opponents have warned it could put lives at risk. | But opponents have warned it could put lives at risk. |
Protesters were marching through Haverfordwest on Sunday morning to voice their concerns. | |
Chris Overton, the chair of the Save Withybush Action Team (SWAT), said it was "unbelievable" that the health minister thought the new system would be a safe service. | Chris Overton, the chair of the Save Withybush Action Team (SWAT), said it was "unbelievable" that the health minister thought the new system would be a safe service. |
"I've coined a new phrase, the 'Sutton test' - after Kate Sutton from Johnston near Haverfordwest who lost her baby and nearly died herself," he said. | "I've coined a new phrase, the 'Sutton test' - after Kate Sutton from Johnston near Haverfordwest who lost her baby and nearly died herself," he said. |
"I ask whether someone in a similar position will be safe when the new system is in place. I don't think they would be." | "I ask whether someone in a similar position will be safe when the new system is in place. I don't think they would be." |
Mr Overton, who is a consultant obstetrician at Withybush, added: "The message really is 'be there or kiss goodbye to essential services remaining at Withybush'." | Mr Overton, who is a consultant obstetrician at Withybush, added: "The message really is 'be there or kiss goodbye to essential services remaining at Withybush'." |
Taken advice | Taken advice |
The changes are part of a reorganisation by the health board. | The changes are part of a reorganisation by the health board. |
Under the proposed new system, doctors in Carmarthen will provide specialist care, with other hospitals eventually providing a midwife-led service. | Under the proposed new system, doctors in Carmarthen will provide specialist care, with other hospitals eventually providing a midwife-led service. |
Bronglais hospital in Aberystwyth will become a midwife-led maternity unit, although during the transition period it will also retain some consultants. | Bronglais hospital in Aberystwyth will become a midwife-led maternity unit, although during the transition period it will also retain some consultants. |
The plans were initially revealed a year ago by the health board but were vetoed by the local patients watchdog over concerns that closing the special care baby unit in Haverfordwest could put lives at risk. | The plans were initially revealed a year ago by the health board but were vetoed by the local patients watchdog over concerns that closing the special care baby unit in Haverfordwest could put lives at risk. |
That meant the health minister, Mark Drakeford, had to step in to review the decision himself, and he has taken advice from a panel of experts. | That meant the health minister, Mark Drakeford, had to step in to review the decision himself, and he has taken advice from a panel of experts. |
The panel advising Mr Drakeford indicated providing special baby care units across the health board was "neither safe nor sustainable". | The panel advising Mr Drakeford indicated providing special baby care units across the health board was "neither safe nor sustainable". |
Last week the minister said the interim measures included developing an all-Wales round-the-clock emergency transport service for mothers and babies needing urgent care. | Last week the minister said the interim measures included developing an all-Wales round-the-clock emergency transport service for mothers and babies needing urgent care. |
Knock-on effect | Knock-on effect |
At the time Hywel Dda Health Board medical director Sue Fish said: "The neonatal unit in Glangwili (Carmarthen) will provide a level of care that we currently don't have available for any of our babies [born] within Hywel Dda. | At the time Hywel Dda Health Board medical director Sue Fish said: "The neonatal unit in Glangwili (Carmarthen) will provide a level of care that we currently don't have available for any of our babies [born] within Hywel Dda. |
"They currently have to go outside the area, so they would be able to have their care nearer to home than they would do otherwise." | "They currently have to go outside the area, so they would be able to have their care nearer to home than they would do otherwise." |
SWAT has already applied for a judicial review of plans at Withybush hospital and a decision on that is due "by the end of February", Mr Overton said. | SWAT has already applied for a judicial review of plans at Withybush hospital and a decision on that is due "by the end of February", Mr Overton said. |