Montgomeryshire Assembly Member Mick Bates has challenged the First Minister in the Chamber on the Welsh Government’s complacency over the impact on Welsh patients of proposed changes to hospital services by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.
Commenting, Assembly Member Mick Bates stated:
“I am extremely disappointed that despite my repeated requests, the Welsh Government refuses to engage at any level to examine the strategic impact on Welsh services of proposed changes to hospital services by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.
“In every consultative meeting I have attended regarding the changes, Welsh patients were astounded that the Welsh Government is exhibiting such total lack of concern for their health.
“The First Minister continues to argue that this is an England only issue and that the Labour-Plaid Government does not need to engage in the consultation. This is simply wrong.
“It totally ignores the fact that Powys Teaching Health Board spends £21million each year with Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust for the provision of acute services for North Powys. It totally ignores the impact for ambulance services in Montgomeryshire, or the potential impact on Women and Children’s services in Maelor and Bronglais.
“The Welsh Government must reassure the people of Mid Wales that their interests are being represented by their Government in Wales, by engaging in the consultation by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, as well as with other providers in Wales, to ensure a coordinated approach to health care provision that delivers the best service possible to patients from Mid Wales.”
