PRINCE PHILIP HOSPITAL: Town council calls for Llanelli stroke unit to become ‘centre of excellence’ amid shake-up fears

Llanelli Town Council is calling for Prince Philip Hospital to be developed into a “centre of excellence” for stroke care — rather than see its specialist services scaled back.

The cross-party intervention comes as Hywel Dda University Health Board consults on plans that would change how stroke patients across west Wales are treated.

Under the proposals, Prince Philip would provide initial emergency stroke treatment before patients are transferred to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen for specialist inpatient care — a “treat and transfer” model.

Glangwili would become the region’s only round-the-clock acute stroke unit, with Prince Philip, Withybush in Haverfordwest and Bronglais in Aberystwyth left as transfer sites.

The plan stems from a board decision in February to centralise emergency surgery, stroke and specialist critical care at Glangwili.

The health board argues change is needed on safety grounds. Stroke services are currently spread across four hospital sites with no specialist cover seven days a week, meaning patients do not always get the standard of care they should.

Lee Davies, the board’s executive director of strategy and planning, said: “We need to change our current service to ensure that people in our communities have the best possible outcomes and chance of recovery from a stroke.”

But councillors in Llanelli fear the changes could mean the gradual erosion of the specialist stroke services currently provided through Ward 9 at Prince Philip.

The issue was debated at the council’s full meeting on 3 June.

The council’s independent leader, Councillor Sean Rees, said stroke services were among the most important provided to the community, and that Ward 9 had built a strong reputation for high-quality specialist care.

“Local people are understandably concerned about what these proposals could mean for the future,” Councillor Rees said. “The health board must provide clear assurances about the long-term future of stroke services in Llanelli.”

He has submitted a series of questions to the health board as part of the consultation, asking whether Ward 9 will continue as a specialist stroke unit, what services will remain in Llanelli, and whether there are any plans to downgrade, relocate or remove specialist stroke provision from Prince Philip in future.

Councillor Rees has previously warned that the town “cannot afford to lose any more” services from the hospital.

During the debate, councillors argued the focus should be on enhancing Prince Philip’s role, not reducing it.

Councillor Sarah Evans, who represents the Lliedi ward, said the hospital should be developed as a centre of excellence for stroke care, building on the expertise, facilities and staff already at Ward 9.

Councillor Evans and her colleagues pointed to the hospital’s location and its accessibility for communities across Llanelli and Carmarthenshire, and the importance of keeping specialist care close to where patients and their families live.

Returning to the theme, Councillor Rees said: “Rather than transferring more services away from Llanelli, the health board should be exploring opportunities to strengthen and expand the excellent work already being carried out at Prince Philip Hospital.”

He argued there was “a strong case” for the centre-of-excellence approach: “The expertise already exists, the need clearly exists, and local people deserve access to specialist treatment as close to home as possible.”

The call comes weeks after Prince Philip became the first hospital in Wales to offer a pioneering cancer diagnosis technique — which the council points to as evidence of the expertise already on site.

Hywel Dda is holding a public drop-in event on the proposals from 2pm to 7pm on Monday 15 June at the Selwyn Samuel Centre in Llanelli.

The health board is encouraging residents, patients, carers and staff to take part in the consultation before any final decisions are made.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

HYWEL DDA: Stroke patients face major shake-up as Glangwili set to become region’s only 24-hour acute unit
The consultation now under way on the future of stroke services.

CARMARTHEN: Glangwili to become regional hub as health bosses centralise services
The February decision to centralise emergency surgery and stroke care.

LLANELLI: Prince Philip Hospital becomes first in Wales to offer pioneering cancer diagnosis technique
A sign of the specialist expertise already at the hospital.

Llanelli’s minor injuries unit to become 12-hour urgent care centre — no return to 24-hour service
An earlier service change at Prince Philip as part of the same plan.

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HYWEL DDA: Stroke patients in west Wales face major shake-up as health board prepares to launch new consultation — with Glangwili set to become the region’s only 24-hour acute unit

Stroke patients across west Wales could face much longer journeys for specialist care under plans being put out to public consultation — with Llanelli‘s Prince Philip Hospital set to lose its acute stroke capability if the preferred option goes ahead.

Hywel Dda University Health Board will decide at its public board meeting on 28 May whether to launch a second round of consultation on the future of stroke services — the one area it couldn’t reach agreement on when it made decisions on eight other fragile services at an extraordinary meeting in February.

Under the preferred option now being put forward, Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen would become the region’s only 24-hour acute stroke and rehabilitation unit.

Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest and Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth would all become treat-and-transfer sites — meaning patients would receive initial stabilisation there before being transferred to Glangwili, or directly to a thrombectomy centre in Cardiff or Bristol.

Bronglais would also have a stroke rehabilitation unit under the plan.

The health board says the current setup is dangerous. Stroke services are currently spread across four hospital sites and there is no specialist cover seven days a week — meaning patients are not always getting the standard of care they should.

The preferred option was not one of the original ideas put out to consultation. It emerged from two alternative suggestions — Option 106 and Option 210 — put forward by members of the public during the first phase. The board felt that neither worked on its own, but combined, they could.

The proposal is a significant one for Llanelli. The town has already seen its Minor Injuries Unit downgraded as part of the same Clinical Services Plan process, and local councillors have been vocal about the cumulative impact of service losses at Prince Philip.

Councillor Sean Rees warned last year that Llanelli “cannot afford to lose any more” of its healthcare services, and raised specific concerns about what the stroke changes would mean for Prince Philip — including the added pressure of patients being transferred in from Ceredigion if Bronglais was downgraded.

The board’s chair Dr Neil Wooding said the second consultation was a direct result of what communities told the board during the first phase.

He said: “Thank you to everyone who has already given their time and provided feedback in the first phase of our Clinical Services Plan consultation, which has enabled us to reach this point. While we were able to take decisions on eight of the nine fragile services included in our Clinical Services Plan earlier this year, no decisions about the future model for stroke services have been made.”

Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning, said: “We know how important stroke services are to our communities, and we are committed to taking the time needed to understand people’s views on the preferred option and the other options already consulted on, before any final decisions are made.”

He added: “We need to change our current service to ensure that people in our communities have the best possible outcomes and chance of recovery from a stroke.”

The consultation will ask whether people support the preferred option — and if not, which of the previously consulted-on alternatives should be considered instead. People will also be able to flag equality and Welsh language concerns.

If approved on 28 May, the consultation opens the same day and runs until 26 July 2026. The board will then weigh all the evidence from both phases before making a final decision later this year.

The public board meeting on 28 May will be broadcast live online, with board papers already published on the Hywel Dda website.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Councillor warns against further service losses in Llanelli amid health board consultation
Independent councillor Sean Rees says Prince Philip Hospital cannot afford to lose more services as the Clinical Services Plan consultation continues.

Llanelli’s minor injuries unit to become 12-hour urgent care treatment centre — no return to 24-hour service
Hywel Dda confirms the MIU will not return to round-the-clock opening as part of its Clinical Services Plan decisions.

Hywel Dda to explore more than 100 new ideas for local health services
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#Aberystwyth #BronglaisHospital #ClinicalServicesPlan #GlangwiliHospital #Haverfordwest #HywelDdaNHS #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #Llanelli #PrincePhilipHospital #Stroke #WithybushHospital

LLANELLI: Prince Philip Hospital becomes first in Wales to offer pioneering cancer diagnosis technique

Prince Philip Hospital has become the first and currently only centre in Wales to offer CryoEBUS — a procedure that combines ultrasound guidance with a freezing technique to collect lymph node tissue samples that are larger and better preserved than those obtained through conventional methods.

The technique, known in full as Cryobiopsy Endobronchial Ultrasound, uses special biopsy needles alongside a freezing process to collect tissue from lymph nodes and, in some cases, lung masses. The improved sample quality makes diagnosis more accurate and is increasingly important for the molecular testing now used to guide newer treatments in lung cancer.

The procedure was introduced at Prince Philip Hospital in November 2025 and is performed under conscious sedation. It integrates into existing bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound pathways, combining two sampling techniques into one streamlined procedure — reducing the need for repeat procedures and supporting earlier treatment planning for more complex cases.

The first procedures were carried out by Dr Robin Ghosal, Clinical Director at Prince Philip Hospital and Consultant Respiratory Physician, working alongside Dr Jonathan Fisher-Black, Consultant Respiratory Physician, and the hospital’s Endoscopy team. Dr Ghosal has completed specialist CryoEBUS training to bring the service to west Wales.

“It’s a very new technology which is gaining momentum and Prince Philip Hospital is the first in Wales to use it and one of only a handful in the whole of the UK,” said Dr Ghosal.

He said the improved diagnostic capability represented a real step forward for patients. “This allows us to obtain significantly improved tissue samples while remaining minimally invasive. This has important implications for diagnostic confidence, particularly in complex lymph node pathology, and supports more efficient progression to treatment decisions.”

CryoEBUS is particularly valuable for diagnosing complex respiratory conditions including lymphoproliferative and granulomatous diseases, where sample size and preservation are critical for accurate analysis.

The procedure uses endobronchial ultrasound guidance alongside specialised biopsy needles and a freezing technique, allowing doctors to get larger and better-preserved samples in a single visit rather than requiring multiple procedures. For patients, that means shorter diagnostic pathways and more timely access to treatment.

The technology is becoming increasingly significant as molecular testing takes on a greater role in guiding newer cancer treatments. Better tissue samples mean better molecular analysis — and better molecular analysis means more targeted and effective care.

Dr Ghosal said the procedure also enhances clinicians’ ability to diagnose conditions beyond cancer, including complex lymph node diseases where sample quality has historically been a limiting factor in reaching a confident diagnosis.

“The procedure integrates an innovative technique into established bronchoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound workflows, offering an advanced less invasive option that can reduce the need for repeat procedures and support earlier treatment planning for more complex cases,” he said.

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Medical Director, Mr Mark Henwood, said the health board was always looking at innovative ways to improve patient care. “I’m very proud that Prince Philip Hospital is leading the way in which we diagnose respiratory diseases,” he said.

“This just goes to show that you don’t have to live in a big city to have access to the most pioneering and effective health care. Congratulations to Robin and his team for all the hard work and training they have put in to bring the CryoEBUS testing to west Wales.”

The adoption of CryoEBUS at Prince Philip Hospital reflects the continued evolution of respiratory diagnostics across NHS services and reinforces the hospital’s commitment to innovation for patients in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

The service is now available as part of the hospital’s standard diagnostic pathway, meaning eligible patients in west Wales can now access a technique previously only available at a handful of centres across the entire UK.

More from Hywel Dda University Health Board

Norovirus forces ward closures at Prince Philip Hospital as outbreak spreads across region
When a norovirus outbreak hit the Llanelli hospital and spread across the Hywel Dda area.

Glangwili Hospital faces £82m repair backlog as Wales-wide NHS maintenance bill nears £1bn
The scale of the maintenance challenge facing Hywel Dda’s hospital estate.

£2m upgrade begins at Glangwili Hospital to ease pressure on A&E
Investment in west Wales’s hospital infrastructure to improve patient flow.

Hywel Dda to explore more than 100 new ideas for local health services
The health board’s wider drive to innovate and improve services across west Wales.

#Cancer #cancerCare #CryobiopsyEndobronchialUltrasound #CryoEBUS #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #Llanelli #PrincePhilipHospital

CARMARTHEN: Glangwili Hospital faces £82m repair backlog as Wales-wide NHS maintenance bill nears £1bn

Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen is sitting on an £82 million backlog of high and significant risk maintenance and repairs — part of a Wales-wide bill that has now reached nearly £1 billion, new figures reveal.

New data from NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership shows the total backlog has grown to £917 million — a 71% rise in just four years — with more than £616 million needed to fix the most serious issues at twelve of Wales’ thirteen main hospitals.

Hywel Dda University Health Board, which runs Glangwili along with Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest and Bronglais in Aberystwyth, carries a combined backlog of £221 million across its four main hospitals. A detailed breakdown of the figures paints a stark picture of the estate:

Glangwili in Carmarthen has a total high and significant risk backlog of £82,097,174 across its 377 beds, with 65% of its space aged 50 years or more. Of that figure, £3.6 million is classified as high risk and £78.5 million as significant risk.

Withybush in Haverfordwest — which declared a major incident in 2023 after the discovery of potentially defective RAAC concrete in its structure, leading to ward closures — has a backlog of £63,055,228 across 211 beds. Some 74% of its space is aged 50 years or more, and £22.4 million of its backlog is classified as high risk — the largest high-risk share of the four hospitals.

Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest. Image: Hywel Dda University Health Board

Bronglais in Aberystwyth has a backlog of £37,381,068 across 170 beds, with 63% of its space aged 50 years or more and more than 40% of its space not considered fire safety compliant.

Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli has a backlog of £25,017,426 across 264 beds. Notably, none of its space is aged 50 years or more, though £6.6 million of its backlog is classified as high risk.

The figures, covering 2024-25, show more than 30 NHS sites across Wales have more than half of their buildings predating the birth of the NHS in 1948. The only hospital with no maintenance problems is the recently-opened £350 million Grange Hospital near Cwmbran — the first major new hospital built in Wales in 20 years, and one that took decades from first proposal to opening.

Mark Dayan, a policy analyst at the Nuffield Trust health think tank, described the situation in Wales as a “worryingly large backlog of maintenance by anyone’s standards” — more than twice what the entire NHS in Wales spends in a year on all buildings and permanent equipment. He warned that the condition of buildings can have “a really limiting effect on healthcare,” particularly when health boards want to reconfigure services or shift planned care to reduce waiting times.

Carl Peters-Bond, independent Senedd candidate for Sir Gaerfyrddin, said the figures came as no surprise given the direction of travel in Hywel Dda. “The lack of investment at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen is not unexpected, considering the health board’s intention to spend billions on a replacement hospital far away from where the majority of patients live,” he said.

Peters-Bond argues that the current health board and trust system is failing communities through bureaucracy and duplication, and is calling for a single integrated NHS for Wales with social services brought under the same umbrella. “Bureaucracy is breaking families — and that must change,” he said. “I believe in cutting waste, joining up services, and making sure resources go where they’re needed most. By sharing resources across the country, services can be provided in communities where they’re needed.”

With the Senedd election less than a month away, the state of NHS Wales buildings has become a battleground across the parties.

Welsh Labour is pledging a £4 billion Hospitals of the Future fund to build new hospitals across Wales over the next ten years. The fund includes a “hospital development in west Wales” which, as we reported in March, appears to refer to Hywel Dda’s long-standing and controversial proposal for a new urgent and planned care hospital near St Clears or Whitland in Carmarthenshire — a scheme that would see Glangwili and Withybush downgraded to community hospitals. The party says it will also continue making capital available to health boards to maintain the existing estate in the meantime.

Plaid Cymru called the backlog “eye watering” but said Labour’s pledge “simply doesn’t add up.” Health spokesman Mabon ap Gwynfor described it as “nothing more than another empty promise from Labour that once again won’t be delivered,” and said Plaid would prioritise tackling the high-risk maintenance backlog and carry out urgent repairs to protect the safety of staff and patients, assessing the estate on a case-by-case basis.

Reform UK’s James Evans said crumbling buildings, burst sewage pipes and rodents in hospitals were “completely unacceptable” and called for the Welsh government’s capital budget to be prioritised on clearing the maintenance backlog rather than promising new hospitals. Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar said his party would declare a health emergency and invest in extra capacity including new community hospitals, diagnostic centres and surgical hubs. The Welsh Liberal Democrats said they would prioritise upgrading the worst parts of the NHS estate, backing a replacement for the University Hospital of Wales while linking capital investment to reforms in social care. The Green Party called the backlog “a disgrace” and pledged a multi-year programme to bring existing facilities up to a safe, modern standard.

Whatever the complexion of the incoming Welsh government after May’s election, the NHS estate it inherits will present an immediate and expensive challenge.

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Welsh Labour’s £4bn election pledge could revive controversial new Whitland or St Clears hospital plan
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Calls grow for urgent investment in west Wales hospitals as new-build plan pushed back a decade
Campaigners warn existing sites need major upgrades after the new hospital plan was delayed by ten years.

Glangwili to become regional hub as health bosses centralise emergency surgery and stroke services
Controversial plans approved by Hywel Dda will see Glangwili take on emergency surgery from across the region.

Withybush Hospital declares major incident after concerns over building’s concrete structure
Three wards at Withybush were closed after potentially defective RAAC concrete was discovered in the hospital’s structure.

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BLOOD TEST SHUFFLE: Llanelli patients moved AGAIN as services shift to new £60m Pentre Awel site

The move by Hywel Dda University Health Board marks the latest change for locals, who previously saw blood tests controversially shifted to an “out-of-town industrial park” in Dafen from the Antioch Centre in 2024.

That move drew heavy fire from patients at the time, as the Dafen Mass Vaccination Centre is not served by any public bus routes. The Health Board was even forced to offer limited appointments at Prince Philip Hospital specifically for those who relied on public transport and couldn’t reach the industrial estate.

Now, the service is set to find a permanent home at the £60 million Canolfan Pentre Awel, a modern sports and leisure facility that officially opened its doors in October 2025.

The new location is expected to be a relief for many, as it is marginally better served by public transport and sits much closer to the Antioch Centre where tests were originally held before the Dafen “exile.”

The Health Board claims the shift to Pentre Awel will finally offer the improved accessibility, better transport links, and more convenient parking that patients have been demanding.

Canolfan Pentre Awel already boasts a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool, which opened in February 2026, providing therapeutic support for people with various conditions.

The phlebotomy team will initially be based in Block B, sharing space with Research and Innovation services and a range of bookable clinical rooms.

While the Health Board states the move aims to enhance the “patient experience,” for many in Llanelli, it simply means yet another change to navigate for a routine but essential service.

For now, patients are being told to continue booking their blood test appointments at the current Dafen site or Prince Philip Hospital. Appointments can be made online via the existing booking system or by calling the Communications Hub on 0300 303 9642.

The Health Board has confirmed it will release further details regarding the exact opening date at Canolfan Pentre Awel and any changes to appointment arrangements as soon as they are available.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Health Board moves Llanelli blood tests to out-of-town industrial park Initial 2024 relocation that sparked anger over a lack of bus services and its remote location.

Canolfan Pentre Awel opens its doors in Llanelli after years of anticipation A first look at the £60 million facility that is now set to become the permanent home for blood tests.

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Welsh Labour’s £4bn election pledge could revive controversial new Whitland or St Clears hospital plan

The commitment was made in the party’s manifesto pledges for the forthcoming Senedd elections, launched by Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan in Newport.

The press release states that the new £4bn “Hospitals for the Future Fund” would, over the next 10 years, fund a “hospital development in West Wales” alongside the replacement of the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and the redevelopment of Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

This appears to refer to Hywel Dda University Health Board’s long-standing and controversial proposal for a new Urgent and Planned Care Hospital to be built near St Clears or Whitland in Carmarthenshire.

Those plans would see key services, including accident and emergency, removed from Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, which would be downgraded to community hospitals.

Campaigners and local politicians have repeatedly raised concerns about the impact on residents in areas like Llanelli and Ammanford, who would face significantly longer journeys for emergency treatment.

Last year, Swansea Bay News reported that the new-build plan had been pushed back by at least a decade, with Hywel Dda’s chief executive saying he was making a “strong case” to the Welsh Government for immediate investment in existing sites instead.

The inclusion of a “hospital development in West Wales” in Welsh Labour’s flagship election pledge suggests the new-build plan is now firmly back on the agenda if the party wins the election.

In her speech, Eluned Morgan said: “The NHS is not just a service. It’s a promise. And we need to renew that promise. Not with slogans, but with the biggest investment programme in our history. So, we are committing £4 billion to build the Hospitals of the Future.”

She added: “Patients deserve hospitals fit for modern medicine, not more make-do and mend. Staff deserve a working environment that matches their skill and dedication. And Wales deserves an NHS built for the future, not held together by goodwill alone.”

The health board has previously argued that a new, purpose-built hospital would allow it to meet modern healthcare standards, attract staff, and provide more specialist services than are currently available across its existing sites.

Welsh Labour was contacted for clarification on whether the pledge refers specifically to the Hywel Dda new-build proposal.

#ElunedMorganMS #GlangwiliHospital #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #newHospital #PrincePhilipHospital #StClears #WelshLabour #Whitland #WithybushHospital

CARMARTHEN: Glangwili to become regional hub as health bosses centralize emergency surgery and stroke services

Hywel Dda University Health Board has approved controversial plans to remove emergency general surgery from Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, downgrade stroke services at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, and transfer specialist critical care patients from Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli to Glangwili.

The move will see patients from across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Llanelli travelling to Glangwili for urgent treatment, raising questions about capacity, waiting times, and pressure on ambulance services in Carmarthenshire.

What Does This Mean for Llanelli and Carmarthen?

Under the new plans, Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli will lose its intensive care unit, with critically ill patients being transferred to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen. An Enhanced Care Unit will be established at Prince Philip to provide care for “less sick patients” locally.

The health board confirmed that this will make permanent the current temporary patient transfers between hospitals, which have been in place due to staffing pressures.

Glangwili Hospital will also take on significantly more emergency surgery cases from across the region, with health bosses arguing that centralizing services will address “fragile” staffing levels and improve standards of care.

However, the decision has sparked concerns about whether Carmarthen’s hospitals can cope with the additional demand, particularly given existing pressures on emergency departments and ambulance services.

Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at Hywel Dda, said:

“Our priority is always to deliver the highest standards of care for our patients across Hywel Dda and our neighbouring communities. As our teams develop the implementation plans, we will take account of feedback shared during the consultation and look at how we can minimise any negative impacts.”

He added:

“We understand the concerns that communities have raised, particularly in relation to accessing services in a largely rural part of Wales. Our aim is to deliver better care across our healthcare system, and we remain committed to working with partners to reduce the impact on patients who may need to travel further.”

Health Board: Changes Needed for ‘Safe, Sustainable’ Services

Health bosses argue the changes are necessary to address long-standing staffing pressures and ensure care is “safe, sustainable, accessible, and kind.”

Dr Neil Wooding, Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said:

“As a Health Board, our ambition is for people to live healthier lives for longer by supporting people to keep well and preventing ill health. The decisions made today help us to address some of the services that are the most fragile and need to change to be able to deliver healthcare that is safe, sustainable, accessible, and kind.”

He added:

“These decisions are not easy but as a Board we have a duty to ensure that our services provide the best outcomes for our patients and that they meet the highest standards.”

The health board confirmed the changes follow a public consultation in the summer of 2025 which received over 4,000 responses. The critical care changes (Option 246) were suggested by the community during the consultation process.

‘Second-Class Citizens’: Welsh Conservatives Slam Centralization

The move has been met with a furious backlash from the Welsh Conservatives, who have accused the health board of treating Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion residents like “second-class citizens.”

Peter Fox MS, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health, said:

“This will be concerning news for patients and families in Ceredigion and across mid and West Wales. Downgrading emergency general surgery services in the area will mean longer journeys for urgent care, increasing pressure on patients, families and ambulance services.”

Local Senedd Member Paul Davies MS said:

“I’m appalled that Hywel Dda University Health Board has voted to remove general emergency surgery services from Withybush hospital – but I’m not surprised. The Health Board is obsessed with removing services from Pembrokeshire and has spent years downgrading and removing services from Withybush hospital.”

He warned that removing the services “critically undermines the sustainability of Withybush hospital’s A&E department” and vowed to urge Welsh Government Ministers to intervene.

Samuel Kurtz MS added:

“Residents in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion are being treated like second class citizens, as it is always us in the West that has to see our services cut. The salami slicing of services is exactly what the Labour government have wanted, and the health board are delivering. This is a sad day, and residents will rightly be angry and concerned.”

Impact on Carmarthenshire Ambulance Services

The centralisation of services is also expected to place additional pressure on ambulance services operating in Carmarthenshire, as patients from Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Llanelli will need to be transported longer distances for emergency treatment.

What do you think of the changes? Will Glangwili be able to cope with the additional demand? Have your say below.

#BronglaisHospital #Carmarthen #centralisation #GlangwiliHospital #Haverfordwest #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #PrincePhilipHospital #WithybushHospital

Norovirus forces ward closures at Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital as outbreak spreads across region

Hywel Dda University Health Board confirmed that four wards at the Llanelli hospital have been shut from today, with restrictions applying across the entire site. The board is urging people not to visit unless absolutely essential.

The move comes as norovirus continues to circulate both in the hospital and in the wider community. The highly contagious virus causes vomiting and diarrhoea and can spread rapidly in healthcare settings.

Health board says closures are needed to protect patients and staff

Sharon Daniel, Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience at Hywel Dda UHB, said:

We have taken the decision to restrict all but essential visiting to Prince Philip Hospital in order to keep patients and staff safe and to halt the spread of norovirus, which is currently circulating in our local community.

I know this will be difficult for those who have loved ones in hospital and we will re‑open the wards as soon as it is safe to do so.

The health board says essential visiting may still be allowed in exceptional circumstances, but families are being asked to contact wards directly for advice.

The situation will be reviewed regularly, and restrictions will remain in place until further notice.

Other Hywel Dda hospitals remain open — but public urged to stay away if unwell

All other Hywel Dda hospital sites are operating normally, but visitors are being urged not to attend if they have symptoms of flu, sickness or diarrhoea. Mask‑wearing is also being encouraged across all clinical areas.

Sharon Daniel added:

You should only come to our sites if you are feeling well. This helps us limit the spread of viruses and protect our most vulnerable patients. It also helps us to keep staff well, so that they can look after those in greatest need of our care.

The health board is also reminding people to wash their hands regularly with soap and warm water, and to consider flu, RSV and COVID‑19 vaccinations if eligible.

Follows earlier warning from Swansea Bay UHB

The closures come just days after Swansea Bay University Health Board issued an open letter urging people to stay away from Morriston Hospital unless absolutely necessary, after norovirus forced ward closures there too.

Both health boards say community transmission is contributing to the pressure on hospitals.

More information on vaccinations is available via Hywel Dda’s website or by calling 0300 303 8322.

#HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #Llanelli #Norovirus #PrincePhilipHospital

Llanelli hospice staff pull out all the stops to give Wendy her Christmas early

Party brought forward twice to make sure Wendy didn’t miss out

Wendy, from Llandybie, has always treasured Christmas. A party had been planned for 6 December when decorations go up at the Prince Philip Hospital hospice. But as her condition worsened, staff refused to let her miss out.

Senior Charge Nurse David Gravell explained:

“The party was originally planned for 6 December, but we brought it forward to 30 November, and then again to 27 November when Wendy’s condition changed. The estates team rushed to put up trees inside and outside, and the kitchen prepared a buffet at short notice. Volunteers rallied to make it happen.”

Family gathers for a magical day

The result was a heartfelt gathering where Wendy opened presents, laughed with loved ones and enjoyed a festive atmosphere created just for her.

Her partner Trevor Till said:

“Christmas and family are so important to Wendy and the staff here realised this. They accommodated everything. It was a real team effort.”

Her daughter Gemma Davies added:

“Mum has always loved Christmas. The party gave her a goal to aim for. That was our Christmas Day, having everybody together as we would have been in a few weeks. We were very lucky to have it.”

Staff praised for compassion and care

Wendy has been at Tŷ Bryngwyn since September and her family say the team have been “brilliant” throughout.

Sharon Daniel, Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience, said:

“I am so happy to hear our teams were able to work together to organise an early Christmas party for Wendy and her family. Thank you to the estates and catering teams along with the staff at Tŷ Bryngwyn for giving Wendy and her family such a special day.”

Wendy’s daughter Gemma is now planning a fundraising musical event in the new year to support the hospice.

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Llanelli’s Minor Injuries Unit to become 12‑hour Urgent Care Treatment Centre – no return to 24‑hour service

Instead, the board has agreed to establish a 12‑hour Urgent Care Treatment Centre, bringing together the existing MIU and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) services into a single, integrated hub.

From 24 hours to 12

The MIU has been operating on reduced hours since November 2024, opening daily from 8am to 8pm after Healthcare Inspectorate Wales raised concerns over overnight safety and staff shortages.

In March, the board considered whether a full 24‑hour rota could be reinstated, but concluded this was not possible. Following a 12‑week consultation earlier this year, which drew hundreds of responses and strong local feeling, four long‑term options were put forward. On Thursday, members opted for the urgent care model (Option 4a).

The new centre will:

• Open 8am–8pm, seven days a week (with staff on site for an additional two hours to close).
• Treat a wider range of urgent but non‑life‑threatening conditions, including minor injuries, minor illnesses, and urgent medical needs that don’t require an overnight stay.
• Provide Same Day Emergency Care currently accessed via GP referral.

📌 Prince Philip Hospital Urgent Care Centre – Key Facts

• Opening hours: 8am–8pm daily (staff on site until 10pm to close)
• Services: Minor injuries (sprains, cuts, burns), minor illnesses (ear/throat infections, mild allergic reactions), urgent medical needs (e.g. severe headaches, cellulitis, diabetes flare-ups)
• What it replaces: Existing Minor Injuries Unit and Same Day Emergency Care services combined
• Why: Staffing shortages mean a safe 24‑hour rota is not possible
• Timeline: New centre expected within 6–12 months; six‑month evaluation once open
• Emergency care: A&E services remain at Glangwili (Carmarthen) and Morriston (Swansea)

Board voices

Professor Phil Kloer, Chief Executive, thanked staff, campaigners and the public for their input:

“We are looking to maintain a high‑quality service that is safe, sustainable, accessible and kind, that meets the needs of the people of Llanelli for the future.”

Mark Henwood, Executive Medical Director, described the decision as a “milestone”:

“We look forward to now implementing and delivering safe, sustainable minor injury and urgent care at Prince Philip Hospital.”

Campaigners respond

Local campaign group SOSPPAN (Save Our Services Prince Philip Action Network), which has long fought to protect services at the hospital, welcomed the outcome.

Chair Deryk Cundy said:

“We are pleased with the Board’s decision to support an Urgent Care Centre. We believe this new and enhanced service, combined with an effective 111 phone triage, will provide a service that is fit for now and the future.”

He added that SOSPPAN would continue to press for accessible mental health provision in Llanelli.

Why the change was needed

As Swansea Bay News has previously reported, the MIU’s overnight closure was introduced in late 2024 after inspectors raised safety concerns. The consultation confirmed that the previous 24‑hour model could not be reinstated safely or sustainably.

Dr Jon Morris, clinical lead for minor injuries, said the new model would reduce the number of patients redirected elsewhere:

“We have managed to recruit staff recently, but nowhere near enough to go back to a 24‑hour service.”

Next steps

• The new Urgent Care Treatment Centre is expected to be delivered within 6–12 months, allowing time for recruitment and infrastructure changes.
• The health board has committed to a six‑month evaluation once the service is up and running, looking at patient experience, outcomes, transport and staffing.
• In the meantime, the MIU will continue to operate 8am–8pm daily.

Patients needing emergency care overnight will continue to be directed to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen or Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

The Welsh Government said it had not been consulted on the proposals in advance, but stressed that responsibility for safe and sustainable services lies with local NHS organisations.

Related coverage

Llanelli’s Minor Injury Unit faces crunch decision
Health board warned staffing shortages could prevent a return to 24‑hour cover.

Health board lays out options for Llanelli MIU
Four long‑term models put forward for consultation earlier this year.

Councillor warns against further service losses in Llanelli
Local representatives raised concerns about the impact of reduced hours.

Final days to have your say on Llanelli MIU
Hundreds of residents responded to the 12‑week consultation.

#DerykCundy #featured #HywelDdaNHS #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #Llanelli #MinorInjuriesUnit #MIU #PrincePhilipHospital #SaveOurServicesPrincePhilipActionNetwork #SOSPPANCampaign #UrgentCare #UrgentCareTreatmentCentre