An assurance by Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths that no district general hospital will close under plans to reorganise health services in West Wales has been welcomed.

Leader of the Pembrokeshire Labour Group, Clr. Sue Perkins (pictured) has said that she will also be seeking assurances from the Minister that any proposals for change will be open to scrutiny in a transparent consultation process.

Last week, in a statement to AMs in Cardiff Bay, Lesley Griffiths outlined her vision for the NHS in Wales, with high quality and safe services at the heart of the Minister's agenda.

Hywel Dda Health Board has suggested that it intends to reorganise the way health services are currently delivered as part of its five year plan. Full proposals are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks with a formal consultation period to follow.

In September, Health Board management admitted that delivering services in a rural area was a significant challenge and that reorganisation was needed to drive up standards.

Clr. Sue Perkins, who represents the Llanion ward on Pembrokeshire County Council, said: "Of course we want to have the best services and the highest standards. But the people of Pembrokeshire need to feel confident that whatever is proposed, we have a health service that meets the needs of local residents. Given our location and much poorer transport links, we need health services that are safe and accessible."

Following the criteria set by the Royal Colleges, Hywel Dda Health Board has suggested it intends to deliver the services normally found at one hospital over its network of four hospital sites.

Clr. Perkins added: "That suggests some big changes are on the way. We already know that Hywel Dda bosses and clinicians have been evaluating women and children's services, accident and emergency and orthopaedic services.

"If the Health Board were to propose changes to those services, then I would expect there to be a full period of consultation. In advance of the Health Board revealing it's plans, I intend to write to the Health Minister Lesley Griffiths to seek her assurances that the Health Board must engage with local people at every opportunity."