The shortage of doctors which has led to the staffing crisis at Withybush's A&E department has been raised at the Senedd by local AM Angela Burns.

The hospital has revealed that it may have to send trauma patients to Carmarthen for treatment if it cannot overcome the lack of junior doctors.

Mrs. Burns told Welsh Health Minister Edwina Hart: "The hospital has said that it has interviewed junior doctors who accept the post, but then change their minds. It also says it cannot recruit them because of rurality issues."

Mrs. Burns is now pressing to find out why other rural hospitals, such as Bronglais in Aberystwyth, are not facing similar staffing crises.

"I have concerns about the root cause of this problem," said Mrs. Burns.

"I accept it is very frustrating for hospital chiefs to be messed around by junior doctors changing their minds at the last minute, but the shortage is a nationwide issue that seems to have had a much worse effect in Pembrokeshire than elsewhere and I'd like to know why."

She told Mrs. Hart that the possible closures could have a disastrous effect on the area.

"This ultimately means that there is a part of Wales that will struggle to get to any meaningful A&E facility in quick order," she said.

"It is not easy for someone in somewhere such as St. Dogmael's or Angle especially; the trip to Carmarthen on those roads is a long one."