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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Llanelli Rotary raises £7K for Ty Bryngwyn Hospice
A James Bond‑themed charity ball helped raise thousands for the hospice, with match‑funding from Swansea Building Society.

Christmas appeal boosts hospice funds
Llanelli Rotary’s festive fundraising drive will see donations doubled thanks to match‑funding, supporting Ty Bryngwyn Hospice.

More news on Ty Bryngwyn Hospice
Catch up on the latest stories about fundraising, patient care and community support for the Llanelli hospice.

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

Hywel Dda to explore more than 100 new ideas for local health services

The Board recently sought views on its Clinical Services Plan (CSP), which looks at potential changes in critical care, dermatology, emergency general surgery, endoscopy, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, stroke, radiology and urology.

Thousands of responses

Around 4,000 responses were received through questionnaires, events and engagement activities. Feedback included views on the options already put forward, their potential impacts, and fresh ideas suggested by members of the public.

The Health Board, working with independent company Opinion Research Services, is now reviewing all of the responses.

‘We need to do justice to new ideas’

Medical Director Mark Henwood said:

“We have been really pleased with levels of engagement in the consultation from our communities. This has presented to us new ideas which we need to explore and, to do justice, will need to go through the same thorough process as options presented in the consultation.”

Next steps

• An update on the consultation feedback will be presented at the Board’s November 2025 meeting.
• A full consultation report is expected to be published in January 2026.
• An extraordinary Board meeting in February 2026 will decide the future of the nine services.

Wider pressures on west Wales healthcare

The consultation comes against a backdrop of wider concerns about the future of hospital services in west Wales:

• Earlier this year, campaigners warned that urgent investment is needed in west Wales hospitals, after plans for a new build were pushed back by a decade, raising fears about the resilience of existing sites.
• In Llanelli, councillors have cautioned against any further service losses at Prince Philip Hospital, where the Minor Injuries Unit has already faced overnight closures and is now at the centre of a crunch decision on its long‑term future.
• In Llandovery, the Health Board has confirmed the town’s hospital is safe from closure, though X‑ray services remain under review due to outdated equipment and staffing pressures.
• Alongside the consultation, Hywel Dda has also launched a new Research and Innovation Strategy, aiming to expand clinical trials and partnerships across the region, with a focus on cancer, respiratory disease, women’s health and digital care.

How ideas will be assessed

All new suggestions will be tested against “hurdle criteria” to check if they are:

• Clinically sustainable
• Deliverable
• Accessible
• Aligned with the Health Board’s long‑term strategy
• Financially sustainable

A group of staff, stakeholders and patient representatives will also consider the accessibility impacts for communities, before an options development group scores viable ideas to weigh up their strengths and weaknesses.

Mr Henwood added:

“We cannot speculate at this stage on which ideas will become options, but the whole consultation process is both challenging and supporting work done to date and ensuring we have a range of strong options for the future.”

Related health stories

Calls grow for urgent investment in west Wales hospitals
Campaigners warn existing sites need major upgrades after plans for a new hospital were delayed by ten years.

Councillor warns against further service losses in Llanelli
Independent councillor Sean Rees says Prince Philip Hospital cannot afford to lose more services as consultation continues.

Llandovery Hospital safe from closure, confirms Hywel Dda
Health Board reassures residents the hospital will remain open, though X‑ray services face review.

Llanelli’s Minor Injury Unit faces crunch decision
The future of the MIU at Prince Philip Hospital is set to be decided after months of reduced hours and public protests.

Hywel Dda launches new strategy to expand clinical research
A five‑year plan aims to grow clinical trials, boost innovation and improve patient access to new treatments across west Wales.

#ClinicalServicesPlan #criticalCare #dermatology #emergencyGeneralSurgery #endoscopy #GlangwiliHospital #HywelDdaNHS #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #Opthalmology #Orthopeadic #PrincePhilipHospital #radiology #Stroke #Urology #WithybushHospital

Llanelli’s Minor Injury Unit faces crunch decision as Health Board weighs future

The unit has been running on reduced hours since November 2024, closing overnight after inspectors warned of safety risks and staff shortages. Campaigners say the community has already lost too many services at Prince Philip Hospital — and fear this could be the thin end of the wedge.

A 12‑week consultation earlier this year drew more than 700 formal responses and a petition of over 10,000 signatures calling for the MIU to be protected. Public meetings were often heated, with residents warning that further downgrading would leave people in Llanelli dangerously exposed.

Deryk Cundy, Chair of the Save Our Services Prince Philip Action Network (SOSPPAN), said:

“The MIU plays a crucial role in supporting the health and wellbeing of people in Llanelli. The strength of feeling was clear from the petition. But we also recognise the old model was unsustainable, with staff under impossible pressure. What we need now is a solution that strengthens services, not strips them away.”

The Health Board says it has listened to the community, with four official options on the table and six more suggested by consultees. But campaigners remain wary, pointing to a long history of service losses in Llanelli.

Mark Henwood, Executive Medical Director, insisted the process had been “thorough and inclusive”:

“We’ve heard a wide range of perspectives and experiences. This rich picture of what matters to people will be put forward to the Board next week.”

Decision day

The crunch meeting takes place on Thursday 25 September, when the Board will decide whether Llanelli keeps a walk‑in MIU in its current form, sees hours cut further, or moves to a new urgent‑care style model.

Until then, the unit remains open daily from 8am to 8pm. Outside those hours, patients are directed to NHS 111 or emergency services.

For many in Llanelli, the decision will be seen as a test of whether the Health Board is serious about protecting local access to urgent care — or whether another vital service is about to be lost.

Related coverage on Llanelli’s MIU

Consultation ends as decision looms over future services

Councillor warns against further service losses in Llanelli

Campaigners take petition to Senedd over downgrading fears

Final days to have your say on MIU consultation

Health Board lays out options for Llanelli MIU

Board agrees temporary overnight closure of MIU

MIU could close overnight due to staff shortages

#HywelDdaNHS #Llanelli #MinorInjuriesUnit #MIU #MIUConsultation #MIUOptions #PrincePhilipHospital

Tributes to Llanelli World War II veteran and author Idwal Davies BEM

Mr Davies passed away peacefully on 17 September surrounded by his family.

The Royal British Legion’s Llanelli Branch described him as a “much‑loved member of our community” who gave generously of his time and talents to support the Poppy Appeal.

The Military Veterans Club Cymru also paid tribute, saying:

“It is with huge sadness and loss that we announce the passing of WW2 Veteran Mr Idwal Davies BEM. Idwal was loved by all and will be sorely missed. He was with his family and passed peacefully last night. This photograph was to be presented to Idwal on his 99th birthday in November and it is with Idwal’s son’s blessing we share both this image and sad news. Rest in Peace Idwal, thank you for your service sir.”

Honoured for service to community

In June this year, Mr Davies was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s Birthday Honours for his tireless community work. A familiar face at Prince Philip Hospital, he volunteered with the Llanelli and District Hospital Friends, raising thousands of pounds through book sales. He also donated proceeds from his own book Gone, But Not Forgotten to charity, and supported the local Salvation Army.

Wartime service

Mr Davies served in the British Army during the Second World War. In an interview recorded for the Peoples Collection Wales in 2024, he spoke about his experiences of service and the importance of remembrance, themes that shaped his later life.

A life remembered

Friends and fellow veterans have described him as “an inspiration” and “a true gentleman who never stopped giving back to his community.”

Funeral details will be announced in due course.

#ArmedForces #BEM #BritishEmpireMedal #Llanelli #MilitaryVeteransClub #PrincePhilipHospital #RoyalBritishLegion #SalvationArmy #Veterans

Calls grow for urgent investment in west Wales hospitals as new-build plan pushed back a decade

The board had proposed a £1.2 billion facility between St Clears and Whitland to replace key services at Carmarthen’s Glangwili Hospital and Haverfordwest’s Withybush Hospital. Two sites were shortlisted in 2023 after a lengthy selection process — which, a BBC Wales freedom of information request has revealed, cost the health board more than £1.2 million. No land has yet been purchased, and the health board now says the project is on hold for the long term.

‘We can’t wait for the new hospital’

Hywel Dda chief executive Prof Phil Kloer said he was making a “strong case” to the Welsh Government for immediate investment in existing sites.

“I think there is an understanding that we have ageing infrastructure, and it does need investment, and we can’t wait for the new hospital before that happens,” he said. “Some of this will depend on the results of the consultation and our deliberations following that. There’s a lot of discussion to be had on how best to direct any investment we get.”

The board’s Clinical Services Plan consultation, which closed on 31 August, set out proposals to tackle problems in nine “fragile” services, including potential changes to stroke care at Bronglais and Glangwili, and centralisation of other specialist services.

Pressure across the region

With the new-build delayed for at least a decade, attention has turned to the hospitals that will have to carry the load in the meantime — not just Glangwili and Withybush, but also Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital.

Campaigners in Llanelli point to the hospital’s role in acute medical assessment, elective surgery and its Minor Injury Unit, arguing that sustained capital investment is essential to keep pace with demand. Prince Philip has been at the centre of community activism for years, with local groups lobbying for expanded services and modern facilities after the loss of its A&E department.

Plaid Cymru councillor Gareth John said it was “very unlikely” a new hospital would be funded “any time soon” and urged ministers to modernise Glangwili, while also ensuring Prince Philip receives the upgrades it needs.

“We have to invest in our general hospital, bring it up to a modern age, bring new equipment and diagnostics and buildings up… to give our staff a fighting chance and work in a decent, modern environment,” he said. He also called for “heavy” investment in community services, primary care and suitable accommodation to speed up patient discharge, warning of a “distinct lack of capital investment” in west Wales “going back decades”.

Conservative Senedd member Sam Kurtz said the Welsh Government should “invest in the infrastructure that already exists”.

“There should be investment at Glangwili, at Withybush Hospital and Bronglais. Why not invest in those sites that we’ve already got? This is about ensuring that patients and the population of west Wales have the services they deserve.”

Government response

The Welsh Government said it was working with Hywel Dda on its future requirements and had invested over £500 million in the NHS Wales estate and infrastructure last year.

#Aberystwyth #BronglaisHospital #Carmarthen #GlangwiliHospital #Haverfordwest #HywelDdaNHS #Llanelli #PrincePhilipHospital #WithybushHospital