The Independent Leader of Llanelli Town Council, Councillor Sean Rees, has called on Hywel Dda University Health Board to provide clear assurances regarding the future of stroke services in Llanelli and the continued role of Ward 9’s Stroke Unit at Prince Philip Hospital.
The issue was discussed at the full meeting of Llanelli Town Council on Wednesday 3rd June, where councillors expressed serious concerns about proposals contained within the Health Board’s consultation on the future delivery of stroke services across west Wales.
Councillor Rees has consistently spoken out against the loss of healthcare services from Llanelli and has previously warned that the town “cannot afford to lose any more” services from Prince Philip Hospital.
The current consultation proposals include a “treat and transfer” model, whereby stroke patients would receive initial emergency treatment at Prince Philip Hospital before being transferred to Glangwili Hospital for specialist inpatient stroke care.
While recognising the importance of delivering the best possible outcomes for stroke patients, councillors voiced concern that the proposals could result in the gradual erosion of specialist stroke services currently provided through Ward 9 at Prince Philip Hospital.
As part of the consultation process, Councillor Rees submitted a series of questions to the Health Board seeking assurances on the future of local stroke services, including whether Ward 9 will continue to operate as a specialist stroke unit, what services will remain in Llanelli, and whether there are any plans to downgrade, relocate or remove specialist stroke provision from Prince Philip Hospital in the future.
Speaking following the meeting, Councillor Rees said:
“Stroke services are among the most important healthcare services provided to our community. Ward 9 has established a strong reputation for delivering high-quality specialist care, and local people are understandably concerned about what these proposals could mean for the future.
“The Health Board must provide clear assurances about the long-term future of stroke services in Llanelli.”
During the debate, Llanelli Town Councillors stressed that the focus should not be on reducing the role of Prince Philip Hospital, but on enhancing it.
Councillor Sarah Evans, Independent Councillor for Lliedi Ward argued that Prince Philip Hospital should be developed as a Centre of Excellence for Stroke Care, building upon the expertise, facilities and dedicated staff already delivering specialist stroke services through Ward 9.
Members highlighted the hospital’s strategic location, its accessibility to communities across Llanelli and Carmarthenshire, and the importance of maintaining specialist healthcare services closer to where patients and their families live.
Councillor Rees added:
“Rather than transferring more services away from Llanelli, the health board should be exploring opportunities to strengthen and expand the excellent work already being carried out at Prince Philip Hospital.
“There is a strong case for developing Prince Philip Hospital as a Centre of Excellence for Stroke Care. The expertise already exists, the need clearly exists, and local people deserve access to specialist treatment as close to home as possible.
Llanelli Town Council is encouraging residents, patients, carers, and healthcare professionals to take part in the consultation and ensure that local views are fully represented before any final decisions are made.
Members of the public can join Hywel Dda public drop-in event between 2pm to 7pm on Monday 15 June at the Selwyn Samuel Centre Llanelli, SA15 3AE.
Open it back up as a proper hospital,that’s what needs to be done…
Needs to be an a&e again. Such a shortfall in the area
Ever listened to the public to ask what they want ?
This hospital can’t stick a plaster to a paper cut!
Timothy Davies that’s unfair to the staff who are under-resourced
They need to bring the emergency department back at night. I needed it one night and only way I could get to Glangwili was with a taxi there and back. Which would have cost me nearly £100. I had to stick the pain all night. It’s really bad since they took this away ???
Definitely, I belive the unit there is specially adapted!
I agree – I know the team there – they are the best of the best ❤️🙏
Ruth Jewitt they do what they can, but their hands are tied by penny-ante politicians 😔
If I need to get to an a&e I would travel to singleton or morriston.
Last time I went to pph a&e was for a broken metacarpal.
Waited 2 hours for triage and then another 2 before I was finally left.
They fitted me with a Velcro splint.
Absolutely useless for where the break was on my hand. In fact, for the strap to do any bit of help it meant cutting off circulation. The break was high up.
Ended up fixing myself with wooden ice lolly sticks, bandage, micropor and a tubular sock.
Break knitted back fine.
God knows what it would’ve looked like if I just carried on wearing that velcro splint!!
But it should still have an A&E regardless of my experience.
There are people out there who can’t get to an a&e further afield. And people who are suffering with an emergency that’s time sensitive, heart attacks, stokes, severe bleeding, breathing complications etc.
But if you can travel further…you should.
Hal Roberts good for you – when I broke my hip, I was in an ambulance in the car park for over 3hrs, and on a gurney in a corridor for over 13hrs, in Glangwili
The care I received was excellent – when I got into the hospital
My dear grandmother broke her hip whilst in glangwili. Admitted for copd complications. I raised concerns with the staff that she didn’t seem right and that I wanted her to keep a close eye. She was severely confused and thought she was home. The next morning I received a call that my grandmother has broken her hip on the ward.
I then get another call about 30mins later asking what medication she takes.
When we brought her in 5 days prior, I gave the staff all her meds, the prescription and a note with what time she takes her meds to keep with routine.
Apparently, this failed to translate over.
Everyone has different experiences. Not saying my hand is more or less. Just that I can choose where to go.
If I knew my grandmother was going to be at the hand of negligence I would’ve drove her to the moon if it meant she would receive the right care.
My mother was a nurse at pph also. But as a staff nurse. I don’t remember it being this bad
Bring back our a&e !! There is so much need in Llanelli and surrounding areas
When they keep shutting departments‽
Put prince philip back to being a hospital, Not a minors or anything else. We need our local hospital back and our local mps should fight for it, but they don’t , useless bunch of muppets
This is decided by Hywel Dda all done and dusted reguarding the Ward 9 Stroke Unit PPH. Why the meeting?
They were amazing for my friends husband , Vince Howells , and to his wife , I really would vote for this 👏🏼👏🏼xxxxx
Llanelli needs to come under Swansea, Hywel Dda Health Board have done nothing for Prince Philip Hospital. Safer and quicker to get to Morriston than Glangwilli