5,000 sign up to oppose acute medical service changes at Neath Port Talbot Hospital

A PETITION against the loss of acute medical services at Neath Port Talbot Hospital has been signed by more than 5,000 people.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board axed the service at the end of last month, on the grounds that it had been unable to recruit enough doctors to continue running it safely.

Patients having serious medical emergencies are instead treated in either Singleton or Morriston in Swansea or Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend where beds and staff have been transferred to accommodate them.

Many of those patients will return to Neath Port Talbot Hospital to recover after receiving their initial treatment elsewhere.

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The petition, which was organised by Plaid Cymru's Neath constituency party and called on ABMU to reconsider the decision, has now been handed in to the Welsh Government.

Plaid Cymru regional AM Bethan Jenkins met the delegation of local Plaid members, who brought the petition to Cardiff Bay, on the steps of the Senedd.

"This petition, gathered in a relatively short space of time, gives some evidence of the great depth of feeling there is in and around Neath and Port Talbot over this decision," said the South Wales West representative.

"People remain extremely concerned how an end to acute medical services at Baglan will affect them, particularly given the far greater distances to Bridgend and Swansea.

"I'd like to pay tribute to Carolyn Edwards and other Plaid members who worked tirelessly over the summer and at short notice, given the abruptness of the decision, to gather public opinion in this way.

"I think this sends a strong message to ABMU that this decision will not be tolerated."

Mrs Edwards, Neath constituency vice-chairwoman, said: "People were only too willing to sign."

ABMU has repeatedly explained the reasons for the change. In one statement it said: "Running an acute medicine service without enough doctors would risk patients not being assessed properly or failing to get the treatment they need. This could put present a significant risk to patient safety, possibly putting lives at risk."

paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk

01792 514694