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Peter Black a Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Gorllewin De CymruYn cynrychioli Aberafan, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr, Castell-nedd, Ogwr, Port Talbot ac Abertawe |
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AM secures urgent statement on Neath Port Talbot hospital downgrade
2012 Gorffenaf 3 2:57 PM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has this afternoon called on the Health Minister to make a statement on reports that Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board will be removing acute medical services from Neath Port Talbot Hospital.
The Presiding Officer decided to allow Peter's Urgent Question, which took place immediately after First Minister's Questions.
Peter Black commented:
"I called on the Health Minister to make a statement in the chamber today on behalf of local people who are deeply concerned that there are plans to downgrade services at Neath Port Talbot Hospital.
"The proposed changes to acute medical services have been announced in advance of the publication of the local improvement plan by the local health board. Therefore this announcement has effectively pre-empted any consideration of that plan. That clearly is not right as they haven't chosen to follow the process that has been put in place. I gave the Labour Health Minister the chance to make a statement on what discussions she had with the health board about the potential impact these changes will have.
"I was hoping the Health Minister would be able to give a guarantee that residents in Neath Port Talbot are going able to access acute medical services in the future, sadly the Minister failed to do this. After years of mismanagement, the Labour party has presided over an NHS that costs more by delivers less."