Elin Jones has already publicly rejected the ‘treat and transfer’ model that Hywel Dda Health Board has proposed in its Clinical Services Review, and the Plaid Cymru candidates for Ceredigion Penfro support the campaign to maintain full stroke services at Bronglais.
A total of 9 services are under review in the Health Board’s service plan review, open to public consultation until the 31st of August 2025.
How are the stroke services at risk?
Currently Bronglais operates a full service stoke unit. Both of the options proposed by the Health Board will retain the initial emergency treatment, but would then involve transferring patients to another hospital in Hywel Dda, either Prince Philip in Llanelli, or Withybush in Haverfordwest.
Why is this an issue?
Bronglais hospital is over 65 miles away from Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli. This would mean at least a two-hour journey for families to visit their loved ones who have suffered a stroke. Also access to transfer is a huge issue here - patients have reported of waiting days or even weeks for a bed or ambulance transfer for specialist care in other hospitals.
There is nothing in the consultation that outlines how this will be different for stroke patients - and no detail on patient transfer.
What can we do to keep services at Bronglais?
You can sign the Senedd petition - once 10,000 signatures are registered, it will be debated at the Senedd.
A campaign group has also been created: Protect Bronglais Services