Nick Bourne AM, Welsh Conservative leader of the opposition at the National Assembly for Wales, has hit out at the potential merger of Ceredigion and Mid Wales Trusts with trusts in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, claiming that there has been insufficient consultation with the public and that the merger will lead to an erosion of services at Bronglais Hospital.
Nick said: "The assembly's proposed merger of these trusts is a classic example of the Labour government's plans to push through measures promising increased centralisation, which come at a cost to the local people. If this merger goes through, the people of Mid Wales will suffer, and of course it will have gone through without anybody from this region having been consulted about the proposed development.
"Instead, the merger has been proposed by an unelected 'project board', who, since they are appointed in their roles by the government, are unable to oppose their plans and support the people of Mid Wales.
"Plaid Cymru councillors in the council deserve our praise for opposing the merger of these trusts, and saving the health services in Mid Wales was part of their election promises. However, this points to a fairly deep division in government between Plaid and Labour, and it remains to be seen whether the Plaid members of the Welsh Assembly Government will condemn the actions of these councillors or will disagree with the Labour Party's health policy."