Councillor warns against further service losses in Llanelli amid health board consultation

A Llanelli councillor has warned that the town “cannot afford to lose any more” of its healthcare services, as Hywel Dda University Health Board continues its public consultation on proposed changes to nine clinical services across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

Sean Rees, Independent County Councillor for Glanymor Ward, said the current direction of travel—centralising services away from Llanelli—would worsen recruitment challenges and increase pressure on Prince Philip Hospital.

“We have lost enough of our services in Llanelli already that we simply cannot afford to lose any more,” he said. “The constant pressures on our NHS are taking their toll, and much of this has gone unnoticed over the years mainly due to the dedication of health staff on the frontline.”

The health board’s Clinical Services Plan consultation, which runs until Monday 22 July 2025, includes proposals to reconfigure critical care, stroke, emergency general surgery, and minor injuries services. Councillor Rees expressed concern over the potential knock-on effects of proposed changes to Bronglais Hospital’s stroke unit, which could see patients from Ceredigion and north Powys transferred to Llanelli for treatment.

“I am concerned to hear of the proposed change to Bronglais Hospital Stroke Services and the future impact this may have on Prince Philip Hospital with a transfer of patients from the Ceredigion area being treated in Llanelli and the additional pressures that such a move could bring.”

The Bronglais proposal would see the stroke unit downgraded to a ‘Treat and Transfer’ model, with patients stabilised locally before being sent to specialist centres in Llanelli or Haverfordwest. Campaigners and clinicians have warned that this could result in four-hour round trips for families and delays in rehabilitation, particularly for rural patients.

Meanwhile, Prince Philip Hospital continues to face staffing shortages, with its intensive care unit unable to admit the most seriously ill patients due to a lack of consultants. Patients requiring level-three care are currently transferred to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, placing further strain on regional services.

The hospital’s Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) has also been a flashpoint for public concern. In May 2024, the health board agreed to a temporary overnight closure due to staffing pressures, prompting protests and a petition to the Senedd from campaigners who say the move undermines public trust and puts lives at risk.

In April 2025, the board launched a 12-week consultation on four options for the MIU’s future, including full restoration of overnight services, continued temporary closure, or permanent overnight closure. Campaigners from Sosppan (Save Our Services Prince Philip Hospital Action Network) have called for a return to 24-hour care to be reinstated as a formal option.

“Instead of a tick the box exercise, a serious discussion now needs to take place which prioritises both patient care and the needs of staff working in our NHS,” said Councillor Rees.

The health board says the consultation is designed to address service fragility and improve standards, but critics argue that changes are already being implemented before public feedback has been fully considered.

Residents can respond to the consultation via Hywel Dda’s website or attend local drop-in events before the deadline on Monday 22 July 2025.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Llanelli’s Minor Injuries Unit could close overnight due to staff shortages
Published March 2024: Health board warns of staffing pressures as overnight MIU closure is proposed.

Board agrees temporary overnight closure of Minor Injury Unit in Llanelli
Published May 2024: Decision prompts protests and calls for urgent review of local healthcare provision.

Prince Philip Hospital campaigners take petition to Senedd
Published May 2024: Campaigners raise concerns over MIU downgrading and wider service centralisation.

Health board lays out options for Llanelli Minor Injuries Unit
Published April 2025: Consultation outlines four potential futures for the MIU, including permanent overnight closure.

Final days to have your say on future of Llanelli’s Minor Injury Unit
Published July 2025: Residents urged to respond before the consultation closes on 22 July.

#CllrSeanRees #HywelDdaNHS #Llanelli #MinorInjuriesUnit #MIU #PrincePhilipHospital

Town council leader’s Drug rehabilitation centre comments described as ‘disappointing’ and ‘reckless’

The comments came after Labour’s Llanelli Town Council Leader and County Councillor David Darkin hit back at proposals to relocate a drug rehabilitation service to a busy out-of-town shopping area.

Llanelli’s Drug & Alcohol Service (DDAS) was originally proposed to move to the former WRW Anchor Point office at North Dock. However, more than 200 people had protested against Hywel Dda University Health Board’s plans amid claims the centre would pose a danger to local residents, particularly with its proximity to a nearby playground.

The service currently provides support for over-18s from the first floor of Boots on Vaughan Street in Llanelli Town Centre. Carmarthenshire County Council was reported to be considering its Ty’r Nant property in Trostre as a new home for the service after it rejected proposals by supermarket Lidl to build a new store on the site.

The move to Trostre was supported by local independent councillors Sean Rees and Louvain Roberts, who were part of the campaign against the service being located in North Dock.

Cllr Darkin, however suggested that Cllr’s Rees and Roberts were “trying to offload a difficult matter to a different ward without giving careful consideration”.

The Glanymor Ward councillors have since hit back at Cllr Darkin’s comments saying he is compromising any public consultation before it even starts.

Sean Rees and Louvain Roberts, County Councillors for Glanymor Ward said: “The comments made by the Labour-led Town Council leader are disappointing and reckless to say the least.

“The Ty’r Nant building was suggested as it meets the ‘Area Planning Board’ criteria of being on a public transport network, having adequate parking facilities and has previously been used as a health facility.

“From the very start of this process, we have called for a full public consultation to take place. This will need to include a full risk and community impact assessment to be undertaken on any proposed site too.

“Given the Labour group have now stated they don’t want DDAS to be relocated to Ty’r Nant, they need to be clear with everyone about exactly where they would locate it.

“By going against the only alternative currently on the table, not only have they compromised any public consultation before it even starts but have also run the risk of the coastline being back on the agenda should another unit become available or the facility being kept in the Town Centre itself.

“The Labour group and Cllr Darkin as its Leader must be clear here – are they suggesting that the service should be relocated to a residential neighbourhood within Llanelli instead?

“A solution needs to be found but it must be one which works for clients who use the service but also considers the impact to our communities as a whole.”

#CllrLouvainRoberts #CllrSeanRees #DavidDarkin #drugAndAlcoholService #HywelDdaNHS #Llanelli #LlanelliTownCouncil #Trostre

Llanelli North Dock building subject of controversial health board plans taken off the market

The building had previously attracted interest from Hywel Dda University Health Board, whose proposed change of use sparked significant controversy within the local business community and among residents of Glanymor Ward. The proposal to relocate the Dyfed Drug & Alcohol Service (DDAS) was ultimately rejected by Carmarthenshire County Council’s planning committee but the ‘Area Planning Board’ still decided to submit an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 

It has been confirmed however that Threshold DAS, an organisation aimed at supporting people affected by domestic abuse, have now had their offer accepted and plan to move to the Unit shortly. 

Formerly known as Llanelli Women’s Aid, Threshold has been operating in Llanelli for over 40 years and is currently based on John Street in the town.

Victoria Pedicini, Chief Executive Officer of Threshold DAS said: “For a couple of years, we have been searching for suitable premises to accommodate our growing staff team at Threshold DAS. Securing this building in North Dock is a fantastic opportunity for us, and I’m really pleased to have finally found a space that meets our needs. It’s the perfect place for us to develop and expand our team, as well as increase our capacity to support the community. I’m absolutely thrilled to be moving and delighted that our offer has been accepted. We plan to move to North Dock as soon as the transaction is completed and hope to be settled in before the end of the summer.

“The local residents have been incredibly supportive and are welcoming Threshold’s move to the area. It’s really important to us to know that the community values our presence and supports the work we do. Having that backing gives us confidence as we continue to grow and strengthen our services.

“Our new building will primarily be used as office space for our staff, allowing us to operate more efficiently and continue our vital work in the community. At the same time, I’m committed to maintaining our presence at John Street, which will stay open as a community drop-in centre and food bank. It’s really important to us that we keep that connection and continue to offer accessible support right in the heart of the community.

“This new building marks an important new chapter for Threshold. It allows us to grow sustainably while continuing to be present where people need us most. I’m really looking forward to this next step and am truly grateful for the ongoing support from the community.

Juliet Phillips-James, Chair of Threshold DAS said: “We’re delighted to have secured new premises here in North Dock, Llanelli which will provide a much-improved working environment for our dedicated staff. As Chair of Threshold, I have witnessed how the charity has grown greatly and prospered over the last decade. Whilst this is an achievement and a credit to those who work in and manage Threshold it has caused logistical issues in that we have outgrown our existing premises. The new premises provide a functional space to allow us to collaborate more effectively and grow our services as we continue to support the Llanelli community. We’re incredibly excited about this move.

Sean Rees and Louvain Roberts, County Councillors for Glanymor Ward added: “We would like to wish Victoria and her team at Threshold all the very best with their move to North Dock. This is very positive news for our community which we know will be warmly welcomed by all. 

“Following this latest development, we are now urging the ‘Area Planning Board’ to cancel the planning hearing appeal currently scheduled for Wednesday 30th April this to avoid any unnecessary cost to taxpayers or potential judicial review should it be needed.”

Cllrs Rees and Roberts have previously called for Hywel Dda health board to to scrap plans to move its drug and alcohol unit to the former WRW building in North Dock and to consider the the empty Ty’r Nant council-owned building in Trostre instead.

#CllrLouvainRoberts #CllrSeanRees #domesticAbuse #HywelDdaNHS #Llanelli #NorthDock #ThresholdDAS

Councillors call for Llanelli drugs and alcohol unit to move to Trostre

Hywel Dda Health Board are to appeal against the decision of Carmarthenshire County Council ‘Planning Committee’ refusal to relocate Llanelli Drug & Alcohol Service (DDAS) to the former WRW Anchor Point Unit at North Dock. An Inspector has now been appointed by Welsh Government ministers to decide if this will go ahead.

Sean Rees and Louvain Roberts, Independent County Councillors for the Glanymor Ward have expressed concerns at the way the situation continues to be handled and have urged Carmarthenshire County Council, Hywel Dda Health Board and the Welsh Government to explore all of the options available to them before a decision is reached on the relocation of the service.

The councillors say that where they fully recognise the need for the service to leave the town centre, it has been highlighted how the beach area which is a residential, recreational, tourist and business area in nature is not suitable given there is a children playground and a dock itself which presents a number of health & safety concerns which must be addressed under a duty of care for both clients who would use the service and members of the community.

A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Councillors has also revealed that the total funding to be granted for the move to North Dock and the Beach area is £860,000 from the Welsh Government ‘Substance Misuse Action Fund (SMAF) Capital Programme. It has further been revealed that an alternative location put forward that of the Ty’r Nant building in Trostre is structurally sound and can be brought back into use should it be considered as an option by the Health Board.

The County Council is currently looking at alternative options for the Ty’r Nant property after it rejected proposals by supermarket Lidl to build a new store on the site, along with a drive-through Tim Hortons coffee outlet.

The Planning Hearing Appeal is taking place on Wednesday 30th April starting at 9.30am in the Selwyn Samuel Centre. A protest has been organised outside the venue from 8.45am on the day.  

Councillors Rees and Roberts said: “We feel strongly that not all options have been considered. The Ty’r Nant building ticks all the boxes in terms of meeting requirements needed for this service and should be considered. Despite requests being made, no Risk Assessment nor that of a Community Impact Assessment have been undertaken. All of us have a duty of care to our residents and to visitors to the area. The health & safety of everyone has to come first.

“Following a review undertaken just earlier this year, evidence has been presented showing an increase in reported crime within the locality. This led to the North Dock area now being covered by a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). This is also enforced by Dyfed-Powys Police. A very clear message has been sent to the ‘Area Planning Board’. They do not have public confidence on side and their proposal has already been overwhelmingly rejected by both our community and by members of the Planning Committee. 

“We will continue to challenge this appeal and are prepared to explore all options available to us. We are now urging all the powers that be to look at the alternative suggestions in the interests of everyone.”

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “Following consideration with our partners, we have come to the conclusion that there is a need for a Health and Well-being Centre in Carmarthenshire and that the Anchor Point building in North Dock is the best place for this.

“A new health improvement and well-being centre in Llanelli is essential to the health board’s strategy of shifting services from treating illness, to promoting and supporting wellness, working with partners, communities, patients and public to enable our community to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and tackle the leading causes of preventable ill health and early death.

“Smoking, alcohol and drug misuse are among the leading causes of preventable ill health and early death and tackling these issues are strategic priorities for the health board and members of the Area Planning Board.

“We engaged with the local community at the time of the original application and although some concerns were raised, there was also support shown for the plans by the local community during the consultation events and at the planning committee.

“The health board will continue to engage with the local community regarding this proposed development.”

#CllrLouvainRoberts #CllrSeanRees #drugAndAlcoholService #featured #HywelDdaNHS #Llanelli #NorthDock #Trostre