CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to fight any fresh attempts to axe accident and emergency services in Llanelli, following a leaked health board document.

A draft discussion paper by Hywel Dda Health Board was posted anonymously to several politicians and media outlets across the region last week, prompting a wide outcry.

The document is understood to have contained information concerning changes at Prince Philip Hospital's A&E department, amongst other services.

It is said that part of the discussion paper suggested the removal of the accident and emergency department altogether — another proposed keeping it as a lower grade facility.

Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones said she immediately became worried after reading the document.

She said: "I have seen the leaked document for myself and I was very concerned.

"It appears to contradict itself throughout over the future of different departments at Prince Philip Hospital — particularly about the accident and emergency department.

"It has been made clear that this was just a discussion document — but the fact that these sort of changes are even being discussed at all at a senior level is disturbing.

"I have spoken to the health minister about this to seek her reassurances about the future of the emergency department of the hospital.

"Any changes have got to be met with a proper consultation — to find out about discussions like this through a leaked document is unacceptable."

Following the incident, the health board quickly released an updated draft, insisting the leaked one was out-of-date.

The five-year plan, entitled Right Care, Right Place, Right Time, Every Time, proposes a "significant investment" in improving community and primary care services, in a drive to offer more care closer to people's homes.

Hywel Dda health bosses pledge all its four hospitals have a future and have also said A&E departments would be in place in every county — Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire - but campaigners fear that could still mean Llanelli losing out to Carmarthen's Glangwili Hospital.

The latest scare comes after campaigners, strongly backed by the Star, successfully fought to keep full A&E services in Llanelli seven years ago.

Paul Harries, secretary of the town's Committee for the Improvement of Hospital Services said: "Prince Philip Hospital is always going to be at threat, and if the health board is looking at downgrading our accident and emergency services then they are in for a fight.

"They failed in 2003 when they tried to take away this vital service from the town and they will fail again.

"The people of Llanelli will fight hard for their hospital and their services — they are not about to stand back and let it happen."

An Assembly spokesperson said any suggestion that the four main hospitals won't remain as major healthcare providers was "pure scare mongering".

She added: "With regard to the leaked information, the chief executive of the health board has said that this was an early draft of a paper, which had not been approved by the board.

"Trevor Purt has now withdrawn the document and apologised for any concern it may have caused.

"Health minister, Edwina Hart and Paul Williams, chief executive of NHS Wales, will now have an urgent meeting with both the chair and chief executive of Hywel Dda Health Board to impress upon them the importance of safe and efficient services being provided as close to people as possible."

A statement by the health board said the plan would "radically improve the way health services are delivered in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire".

It continued: "For example it would enhance GP and community hospital services, some of which would be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and would offer diagnostic testing at a local level, which is not currently available.

"The status of the four existing hospitals would remain the same.

"As we start this journey and in the weeks and months to come, we are looking forward to engaging with stakeholders and staff over the exciting opportunities the plan offers."

One of those eager to have their say will be Llanelli MP Nia Griffith.

She said: "The Hywel Dda Health Board draft five year strategy will shortly be published for consultation. In advance of its publication I want to make it clear that it is vitally important that the strategy maintains the widest possible range of services at Prince Phillip Hospital.

"Next week I will be meeting leading officials of the health board when I will ask for more information about its plans and stress that my constituents must be able to access good local hospital services."