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| South Wales NHS shake-up meetings: CHC urge big turnout | South Wales NHS shake-up meetings: CHC urge big turnout |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Community health leaders have called for a big turnout at public meetings to discuss a major shake-up of NHS services in south Wales. | |
| The first three of more than 40 public meetings will be held later on Monday. | The first three of more than 40 public meetings will be held later on Monday. |
| The move could see the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant stop treating the most serious A&E cases. | The move could see the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant stop treating the most serious A&E cases. |
| Dr Paul Worthington, chief officer of Cwm Taf Community Health Council (CHC), urged as many people as possible to attend the consultation meetings. | Dr Paul Worthington, chief officer of Cwm Taf Community Health Council (CHC), urged as many people as possible to attend the consultation meetings. |
| One of Monday's meetings is being held in Pontypridd, near the Royal Glamorgan, with the others in Bridgend and Three Cocks, near Hay-on-Wye. | One of Monday's meetings is being held in Pontypridd, near the Royal Glamorgan, with the others in Bridgend and Three Cocks, near Hay-on-Wye. |
| The public consultation over the proposals was launched late last month. | The public consultation over the proposals was launched late last month. |
| The meetings are being organised by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Aneurin Bevan, Cardiff and Vale, Cwm Taf and Powys health boards. | The meetings are being organised by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Aneurin Bevan, Cardiff and Vale, Cwm Taf and Powys health boards. |
| A number are being held throughout the week in Rhondda, Newport, Aberavon, Brecon, Aberdare and Glynneath. | A number are being held throughout the week in Rhondda, Newport, Aberavon, Brecon, Aberdare and Glynneath. |
| Proposed changes to the NHS in south Wales include cutting specialist departments from seven to four or five. | Proposed changes to the NHS in south Wales include cutting specialist departments from seven to four or five. |
| Health officials have said the "best fit" is to locate specialist services in Cardiff, Swansea, Merthyr, Bridgend and a new hospital near Cwmbran. | Health officials have said the "best fit" is to locate specialist services in Cardiff, Swansea, Merthyr, Bridgend and a new hospital near Cwmbran. |
| These units would be led by consultants around the clock and throughout the week. | These units would be led by consultants around the clock and throughout the week. |
| But the plans have been met with opposition from politicians and members of the public. Objectors staged a protest in Pontypridd on Saturday against the proposals for Royal Glamorgan. | |
| "There are an extensive number of meetings across south Wales and we are keen to see as many people as possible attend them," Dr Worthington said. | "There are an extensive number of meetings across south Wales and we are keen to see as many people as possible attend them," Dr Worthington said. |
| "It's an opportunity to hear about the proposals from the clinicians. The CHCs and the LHBs [local health boards] are really keen to hear what people have to say about the proposals and what their queries are. | "It's an opportunity to hear about the proposals from the clinicians. The CHCs and the LHBs [local health boards] are really keen to hear what people have to say about the proposals and what their queries are. |
| "For those unable to attend the meetings there are links on local health board websites where people can send in their views." | "For those unable to attend the meetings there are links on local health board websites where people can send in their views." |
| NHS leaders believe services are currently spread too thinly. | NHS leaders believe services are currently spread too thinly. |
| They have warned that some specialist hospital services are "on the edge" and could "collapse" unless big changes are made to the way they are delivered. | They have warned that some specialist hospital services are "on the edge" and could "collapse" unless big changes are made to the way they are delivered. |
| They argue the changes are essential to ensure hospital care meets UK-wide professional standards and to deal with issues such as a shortage of doctors, an ageing population and financial pressures. | They argue the changes are essential to ensure hospital care meets UK-wide professional standards and to deal with issues such as a shortage of doctors, an ageing population and financial pressures. |
| The Royal Glamorgan also stands to lose consultant-led maternity care and specialist baby care as part of the proposals for the future of hospitals in south Wales. | The Royal Glamorgan also stands to lose consultant-led maternity care and specialist baby care as part of the proposals for the future of hospitals in south Wales. |
| The overall plans involve consultant-led maternity care (obstetrics), specialist baby care (neonatal), specialist children's care (paediatrics) and emergency medicine (A&E). | The overall plans involve consultant-led maternity care (obstetrics), specialist baby care (neonatal), specialist children's care (paediatrics) and emergency medicine (A&E). |
| At the moment eight hospitals in the region provide one or more of these services. | At the moment eight hospitals in the region provide one or more of these services. |