Commenting on the Health Minister's announcement that she is to delay a decision on the location of a single neurosurgery unit so as to conduct a further 12 month all-Wales review, South Wales West Liberal Democrat AM, Peter Black, said:
"This issue has been rumbling on since 2002. A further twelve to eighteen month delay for yet another review will just prolong the agony for patients, staff and local people.
"I believe that the case to locate a single neurosurgery unit in Swansea is overwhelming. It would form part of a very successful multi-trauma unit and would be within the requisite two hour travelling distance of the vast majority of people using it. The presence of a similar unit in Bristol would accommodate the population of South East Wales just as easily.
"I am disappointed that the Minister did not see fit to accept that case now but instead delayed the final decision, creating a further period of uncertainty. I am also surprised that this announcement has been made as it has on the eve of the ratification of the Labour Plaid coalition government by those two parties.
Plaid had two main planks in their Swansea Assembly campaign, to save neurosurgery and to kick Labour into touch. Instead they have saved Labour and kicked neurosurgery into touch."
