The Pembrokeshire Community Health Council has formally objected to the proposals to centralise adult neurosurgery services at the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff. The proposals have been the subject of a public consultation exercise across South and West Wales for the past three months. Chief officer Ashley Warlow said that in reaching the decision, the CHC accepted that there were advantages of having inpatient neurosurgery care, expertise and diagnostic facilities on one site in South Wales. Importantly, however, his council believed that the centre for such services should be located at Morriston Hospital in Swansea and not taken further away. Mr. Warlow explained that there were several reasons for reaching this decision. Of prime importance, however, was the one of the geography, recognising the rurality of mid and West Wales, and the associated poor road infrastructure. The CHC was of the opinion that the timeliness of patient access to such emergency neurology services was paramount and to move further eastwards would be wholly detrimental to their population. He stressed that "the best interests of patients must be the first consideration." Additionally, he was mindful that patients in the south-east of Wales, who might be impacted in any relocation of adult neurosurgery from Cardiff to Swansea, were of course easily able to access emergency neurosurgery services in Bristol, to which there were already many natural patient flows. Concluding, Mr. Warlow added: "The CHC was also concerned that the proposals had not adequately assessed the potential impact on other services in Morriston, and particularly the trauma and burns specialties." He said that Morriston was unique and presently had all the major trauma services. Recognising the oil and gas industries which were well established in Pembrokeshire, and the ever-increasing tourist participation in adventure sports within the county, he was worried that the impact of losing neurosurgery to Cardiff could jeopardise these other key services in Swansea. As a consequence this would then have major implications for patients in South and West Wales. Health Commission Wales will evaluate all the responses to its consultation and publish its final recommendations prior to year end. The ultimate decision will be made by the Welsh Assembly Government The CHC has the ability to bring its concerns direct to Dr. Brian Gibbons, the Minister for Health and Social Services, if considered necessary.
