Sir,
I am writing regarding the Specialised Healthcare for the Children of Wales - SHSCW Report which is out for public consultation until the end of September 2002.
As you may be aware there is much anger in the West Wales area over the report's recommendation to merge the Paediatric Neurosurgery unit at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, with the unit at UHW, Cardiff.
As a resident of Swansea, I am totally behind the campaign by the South Wales Evening Post to retain the service in Swansea. As a kidney transplant patient, however, my concern is with the report's recommendation to transfer, on a permanent basis, the provision of Paediatric Nephrology Inpatient Care and Transplantation from UHW to the children's hospital in Bristol.
This is unacceptable to the children and parents who will face much longer travelling times and much more disruption to their lives. It is far enough for many of these children to travel from their homes to Cardiff; some live as far away as Pembroke and Aberystwyth. To expect them to travel to Bristol adds more stress to an already difficult situation.
It is indefensible that this transfer of service for children with kidney failure should be lost to Cardiff.
Children with kidney failure have had this provision at Cardiff for over 20 years. The new Children's Kidney Centre at UHW, which opened in 1999 with the aid of public donations, provides treatment for children from across South Wales.
Whatever has changed since then, it should not be the children who have to pay the price for lack of good management. I hope that you readers will write to the Health Authority asking that this service remains in Cardiff.
Gloria Owens,
69 Harlech Crescent,
Tycoch,
Swansea.