Sir,
It is now entirely clear from the range of consultation meetings held across the area that neither of the options presented for re-organisation of hospitals is acceptable to the people of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Obviously there is a need for a complete re-think, but how on earth can we have got to a position where public servants have spent so much time and money (our money!) coming up with proposals which are so completely unacceptable? And how can the Assembly Government have allowed this to happen?
The Health Boards and Trusts which have produced this so-called plan are all appointed by the Assembly Government, they are paid by the Assembly Government, they are given direction and guidance by the Assembly Government, they are accountable to the Minister in Cardiff - did he really not know what they were doing?
Let us be clear on this, neither the Minister in Cardiff nor local New Labour politicians can be allowed to hide behind the so-called 'independence' of these boards and trusts - they appointed the members, and they must be held accountable for what their appointees do.
We now have the spectacle of New Labour politicians calling for a campaign against these proposals - do they really have no influence with their own government?
Our greatest need now is not yet another costly re- organisation of the committees and boards in the health service, but a Minister and a Government in Cardiff prepared to accept responsibility for our health service, and to ensure that it is run to meet local needs.
John Dixon, Plaid Assembly Candidate, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Maesglyn, Ffordd Alltwalis, Llanpumsaint, Carmarthen.