Llanelli councillors: 'We will fight for Prince Philip Hospital'
LLANELLI councillors have vowed to fight for Prince Philip Hospital after describing the health board’s consultation document as a “scam”.
And a health campaigner has now called on GPs and other health workers to speak out.
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Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli
The consultation document asks people to rate how strongly they agree with statements about hospital services in their area.
But councillors passed a motion of no confidence in the document and have launched an official petition — backed by the rural council, Save Our Services Prince Philip Action Network (SOSPPAN) — and the Post’s sister paper the Llanelli Star — to restore services at the hospital.
The petition calls for the restoration of Prince Philip to a fully functioning district general hospital with a wide range of services including a consultant-led accident and emergency department.
Speaking at a town council meeting, Councillor Pam Edmunds said: “This isn’t a consultation, this is something that we are being told what we are going to do.”
And Councillor Winston Lemon said: “It’s like a sheepdog trying to herd us into making a decision.”
Councillor John Jenkins, who proposed the vote of no confidence in the consultation, said: “There will always be a need for a full A&E.
“It’s a very wicked agenda that this NHS trust has.
“We have to put pressure in any way we can. I don’t care whose petition it is. We will all speak as one.
“The trust isn’t going to take any notice of us. It is merely going through the motions to say it has done its consultation.
“We know it’s a scam, I have no confidence in this consultation.”
Health campaigner Tony Flatley welcomed the town council motion but said it was now up to GPs and health employees to have their say.
He said: “We are doing a lot of work but I think it’s got to be seen that the people at Prince Philip want the same.
“We want to encourage GPs and doctors in Llanelli to come out and state that they have got no confidence in the board.”
A Hywel Dda Health Board spokesperson said: “The health board would like to clarify that this is not a consultation document but a discussion document designed for the purpose of openness and transparency. It shares our potential options in reshaping health services for the future and we are actively seeking feedback on the document.
“If Llanelli Town Council would like to feedback on the discussion document they can do so as individuals or as an organisation by filling out the feedback form online or writing to Opinion Research Services, Freepost (SS1018), PO Box 530, Swansea SA1 1ZL.”
laura.burnip@swwmedia.co.uk
6 Comments
by owen71
Tuesday, March 20 2012, 4:53PM
“MORE MONEY TO BE SPENT IN LLANELLI.... Not another 'jewel in the crown. Llanelli's got more jewels than Long John silver. North Dock Offices JIC - all empty- Elli Centre JIC - being closed- technium centre JIC - now empty- Millenium path JIC - hardly used and crumbling- Eastgate JIC - bet it will fail as well." 18 MILLION spend it.... at P P H...... A / E DEPT”
by jJohnyjJones
Thursday, February 09 2012, 6:51PM
“Money is not the issue here really. There has always been money around (taken from the public purse) to subsidise the parasitic private health which operates using nhs property. This is about the ideology of those in power who consider themselves and their cronnies to be better off once they scrap the nhs and hence their taxes.
The only reason people may think there is not much money around is because the super rich keep telling us. While they have it all and they spend it where ever in the world they so please. Whether it be for private health care in the states; new yachts (which we all provide); some profitable industry or other to dodge their taxes with; or so they can have security for thousands of years at everyone elses expense. While the rest of us worry for our family and friends and our lowely society as a whole daily.
Long Live Democracy !!! Beep, beep, beep, beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!”
by dogfa
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 4:51PM
“look out,voting coming in may
and they start crawling out from under the skirting board false promising the earth until after voting,why do we fall for politicians fibs every time!”
by owen71
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 2:57PM
“Yes but if you add the rest of the county together its bigger than LLanelli , your problem is MORISTON HOSPITAL and SWANSEA is to close , and today every town is a failing town , plus you have SINGLETON HOSPITAL yes i support the campaign but there is no money around , people from CARMARTHEN etc have to travel to LLANELLI for some services also”
by Harvey
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 6:36AM
“Llanelli is already a failing town in respect of services. This is pushing people out of town and destrying what we have left. Its ridiculous that llanelli is the the largest town in carmarthenshire in terms of population , yet with a failing town centre and now it seems failing accessible health services. Support the campaign. Dont let this happen!”
by owen71
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 9:52PM
“I feel sorry for the people of Llanelli , LLANELLI HOSPITAL is close to MORISTON HOSPITAL just up the road, as the people from other areas have to travel ie CARDIGAN, LLANDOVERY, WHITLAND etc to CARMARTHEN and all over WEST WALES , if you have a bleeding nose in HAVERFORDWEST you have to travel to CARMARTHEN , day or night , good luck”