Senedd Member Paul Davies has criticised Hywel Dda University Health Board’s plans for paediatric services in west Wales, as it will result in the permanent closure of the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (PACU) at Withybush Hospital.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has chosen to proceed with Option 1 of the plans in its recent consultation, which will mean that a child with an acute illness requiring admission would be treated at Glangwili Hospital.

Mr Davies said, “I’m extremely disappointed that the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (PACU) at Withybush hospital is now set to close. This is another devastating blow for the hospital and is the latest in a serious of cuts to the hospital’s services in recent years.”

“When the Welsh Government announced the closure of the Special Care Baby Unit in 2014, I warned that this was a ‘slippery slope’ that would make services more vulnerable to closure in the future. The First Minister, who was then the Health Minister, assured me that wouldn’t be the case, and yet here we are.”

“This is a bleak day for families in Pembrokeshire, who again will be forced to travel further for vital services.”