Welsh Conservatives have condemned a decision to push ahead with major NHS reform in mid and west Wales.

In a Hywel Dda health board meeting on Tuesday proposals to downgrade services, cut bed numbers, close minor injury units and make significant changes to paediatrics were rubber-stamped.

The decisions follow significant opposition to the plans in a statutory consultation and previous assurances from the Health Minister that no hospital would be downgraded: 'None will be downgraded ... I don't want to hear anything about downgrading'.

The public engagement process has been questioned by Welsh Conservatives and questions asked over the health board's consideration of responses.

Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said: "These unwanted plans have been steamrollered through despite strong opposition across the region.

"An axe has fallen on community services and beds, patients will be forced to travel further for treatment, and the health minister's promises on hospital downgrading now stand shamefully broken.

"I urge her to condemn these decisions and face up to the fact that Labour's record-breaking budget cuts have forced this reform agenda.

"The consultation - which included deep-seated disagreement with these plans - appears to have been disregarded by NHS management and the entire public engagement process called into question."

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Angela Burns said: "Following many months of constant worry, the worst fears of thousands have come true.

"The consultation has been thrown to the dogs and one final chance to use some common sense has been ignored.

"The concerns of thousands over the future of a special care baby unit at Withybush have come to pass. This downgrade is a snub to all those served by this hospital and will force families to travel further for treatment.

"Labour's slash and burn approach to the NHS has forced the implementation of these proposals and we will continue to fight them."

Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies said: "This is nothing other than downgrading and, given her previous assurances, the health minister has a duty to stand up and object to these proposals.

"The downgrading of specialist baby care in Withybush is a disaster and the closure of minor injury units a disgrace.

"The consultation has been disregarded and the views of thousands thrown out with the trash. I urge the minister to look very carefully at the current public engagement process and to consider its review."