A call has been made to the Welsh Senedd for a petition concerning the future of services at Withybush Hospital to be considered as a matter of urgency.

Local Senedd Members Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz have written jointly to Carolyn Thomas, Chair of the Petitions Committee in the Senedd, requesting that the petition be scheduled for consideration at the earliest possible opportunity.

The public petition, which raises concerns about healthcare provision in Pembrokeshire and calls for intervention regarding services at Withybush Hospital, has now surpassed the 10,000-signature threshold required for it to be considered for debate in the Senedd.

The two MSs say the level of public support demonstrates the depth of concern across Pembrokeshire and beyond, particularly following recent decisions by Hywel Dda University Health Board, including the withdrawal of emergency general surgery from Withybush Hospital.

They argue that the issue must be debated before the Senedd is dissolved ahead of the Welsh Parliament election scheduled for May 7.

Mr Davies said: “Reaching 10,000 signatures demonstrates the strength of feeling across Pembrokeshire about future services at Withybush Hospital. Residents, clinicians and campaigners have raised serious concerns about patient safety, travel times and the cumulative impact of service changes.”

Mr Kurtz added: “Given the potential impact that the centralisation of hospital services could have on rural communities, it’s vital that this issue is debated in the Senedd before dissolution. People deserve the opportunity for their elected representatives to scrutinise these decisions and for the Welsh Government to respond formally on the record.”

Both have asked the Petitions Committee to expedite consideration of the petition and recommend that it is scheduled for a plenary debate at the earliest opportunity.

They also called for clarity from the Welsh Government on what oversight or intervention it will provide regarding the future of services at Withybush.