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Anger at end of emergency surgery Anger at end of emergency surgery
(about 2 hours later)
NHS mangers are coming under pressure to look again at a decision to end emergency surgery at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli. NHS managers are coming under pressure to look again at a decision to end emergency surgery at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli.
Carmarthenshire NHS Trust said it would centralise such operations at West Wales General in Carmarthen to improve efficiency and patient care.Carmarthenshire NHS Trust said it would centralise such operations at West Wales General in Carmarthen to improve efficiency and patient care.
But Health Minister Brian Gibbons has asked the trust to explain the move, which would come into force next month.But Health Minister Brian Gibbons has asked the trust to explain the move, which would come into force next month.
Campaigners claimed it amounted to a downgrading of Prince Philip.Campaigners claimed it amounted to a downgrading of Prince Philip.
Paul Harries, who helped to collect a 37,000-name petition, said: "Since the hospital opened in 1990 we have lost the paediatric unit and a number of other services and fought restrictions on the accident and emergency unit.Paul Harries, who helped to collect a 37,000-name petition, said: "Since the hospital opened in 1990 we have lost the paediatric unit and a number of other services and fought restrictions on the accident and emergency unit.
"It's just unacceptable as hospital services are a bit like a house of cards - take too many away and the whole thing collapses."It's just unacceptable as hospital services are a bit like a house of cards - take too many away and the whole thing collapses.
The consolidation of emergency general surgery will enable us to provide the best care possible Mary Williams, Carmarthenshire NHS TrustThe consolidation of emergency general surgery will enable us to provide the best care possible Mary Williams, Carmarthenshire NHS Trust
"Prince Philip serves a population of 110,000 and West Wales General is 25 miles away.""Prince Philip serves a population of 110,000 and West Wales General is 25 miles away."
Two years ago the Royal College of Surgeons recommended centralising services at one hospital to increase the number of operations at both sites.Two years ago the Royal College of Surgeons recommended centralising services at one hospital to increase the number of operations at both sites.
It said the present arrangement was "uneconomical and unsustainable," but its findings were rejected by the trust at the time.It said the present arrangement was "uneconomical and unsustainable," but its findings were rejected by the trust at the time.
However the trust board has now approved the move following a further review.However the trust board has now approved the move following a further review.
It said Prince Philip would become a centre of excellence for planned surgery, reducing waiting times and the risk of hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA.It said Prince Philip would become a centre of excellence for planned surgery, reducing waiting times and the risk of hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA.
'Full investigation''Full investigation'
Mary Williams, general manager for surgical services, said the aim was to implement the changes in February.Mary Williams, general manager for surgical services, said the aim was to implement the changes in February.
"The consolidation of emergency general surgery will secure the future of both hospitals and enable us to provide the best care possible.""The consolidation of emergency general surgery will secure the future of both hospitals and enable us to provide the best care possible."
She said the ambulance service and GPs had been fully briefed.She said the ambulance service and GPs had been fully briefed.
A delegation from Llanelli, including AM Catherine Thomas, MP Nia Griffiths and the town council leader was meeting Dr Gibbons and First Minister Rhodri Morgan on Monday.A delegation from Llanelli, including AM Catherine Thomas, MP Nia Griffiths and the town council leader was meeting Dr Gibbons and First Minister Rhodri Morgan on Monday.
Ms Thomas said she was seeking a "full investigation" into the decision and accused the trust of "engineering" the move by not replacing a surgeon at Llanelli who had recently retired.Ms Thomas said she was seeking a "full investigation" into the decision and accused the trust of "engineering" the move by not replacing a surgeon at Llanelli who had recently retired.
The assembly government spokesperson said: "The health minister has asked the trust to carry out some further work to address local concerns about the proposals and to explain the reasons for the changes.The assembly government spokesperson said: "The health minister has asked the trust to carry out some further work to address local concerns about the proposals and to explain the reasons for the changes.
"He wants to establish whether there are any urgent, compelling clinical reasons to introduce the new service arrangement quickly.""He wants to establish whether there are any urgent, compelling clinical reasons to introduce the new service arrangement quickly."