HEALTH chiefs have been slammed after leaving a "shambolic" public engagement event more than an hour before the end.

Hywel Dda Health Board bosses were in Llanelli last week in an all-day event aimed at discussing and explaining the controversial proposed changes to the region's health services.

Their day started badly with a mass walkout following an angry confrontation between bosses and Llanelli residents in which they criticised organisers for not providing a microphone.

Cynthia Sanderson, 69, of Bay View Road, said: "It's a shambles. Nobody can hear anything.

"I haven't had a chance to ask any questions. Everyone's walking out."

There has been strong opposition in the town to proposals to axe services at Prince Philip Hospital, so the board drew criticism for being seemingly unprepared for the number of people who arrived.

While the board's estimated turnout at the event was 450, some suggested the figure was even higher.

Throughout the day tensions were high, with health bosses receiving a grilling during a number of heated question and sessions.

And the day ended on another sour note when medical director Dr Simon Mahon and director of planning, performance and delivery Tony Chambers upped and left early.

Llanelli mum Suzy Curry said she confronted the pair as they made for the exit.

She said: "The Q&A session finished at about 5.10pm, there was another one supposed to start at 5.30pm. There was a sign up saying so.

"They started putting on their coats. I said, 'where are you going?'

"Mr Chambers said they had an appointment they had to go to.

"I said 'how stupid to arrange an appointment when you have already got one here to do another Q&A session'.

"And he said 'we have got to go because our appointment is with surgeons and it's far more important that we go to that'. There was other staff there but not the big boys, they started just stacking up chairs as if it was over.

"Lots of people were still coming through the door, people were still coming after work.

''It was absolutely disgraceful."

Board director of corporate services Chris Wright accepted it had been a challenging day for the board. He said: "I think my issue is that everybody here has come with one initial thing on their agenda to restore services to 2006 levels.

"I would just question how realistic that may be.

"We were trying to have a question and answer session. Unfortunately sections of the audience wanted to shout over them and get their own points in."

A board spokeswoman added afterwards: "Directors and managers of the health board were in attendance at the whole event and were available until 6.30pm for face to face discussions with members of the public.

"The health events are an opportunity for members of the public to form their opinions from an informed position and for the board to be able to listen to their views.

"The event in Llanelli showed the passion of local people but some members of the public were not respectful of other people's views and attempted to dominate the discussions."

Comment — page 10

Letters — page 11

More on Prince Philip Hospital — pages 32 & 33