Lives will be lost should plans to close a hospital's A&E department be given the go-ahead, campaigners have warned. Hywel Dda University Health Board has proposed building a new hospital between Narberth and St Clears which will result in the removal of 24-hour consultant-led care at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.
Campaigners claim the current hospital needs to stay put as it is situated close to many "dangerous" professions including an oil refinery, gas terminals, ferry ports, firing ranges, extreme sports centres, and farms. They also said many people would have to rely on Pembrokeshire's "poor" infrastructure and public transport links to get to any new site.
However bosses at the health board claim the ageing services in the region need to be updated so the problem isn't passed onto the next generation. It is understood that five possible sites have been selected for the new hospital – one in Narberth, two in Whitland, and two in St Clears. A business case has been submitted to the Welsh Government for £1.3bn in investment.
