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.

Consultant who called junior doctor ‘bad girl’ and grabbed her waist struck off after tribunal says he ‘treated women like sexual objects’

Dr Velmurugan Kuppuswamy — known as Dr Vel — was erased from the medical register after the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) found he carried out a pattern of sexually motivated behaviour towards two junior doctors, Dr A and Dr B, between August and October 2021.

The tribunal said his conduct “fell so far short of the standards of conduct reasonably to be expected of a doctor as to amount to serious misconduct”, and imposed an immediate suspension while erasure takes effect.

Waist‑grabbing, wrist‑squeezing and ‘bad girl’ comment

The tribunal found that at a staff accommodation party in September 2021, he hugged Dr A, touched her back, and “squeezed [her] waist”. He then grabbed her wrist, squeezed it, pulled her towards him, smirked, winked, and told her she was a “bad girl” after she joked about smoking being unhealthy.

In her evidence to the GMC, Dr A said she “felt exposed” and that his behaviour “felt so wrong”. She told police she tried to pull away and told him he was hurting her.

The tribunal accepted her account, noting she was a junior colleague and that the power imbalance made his behaviour even more serious.

‘Sexy dancing’ comments and touching near groin

The panel also found he stared at Dr B while she danced, told her to “keep doing that sexy dancing for me”, and later put his hand on her thigh before squeezing near her groin area.

He followed a group of female colleagues around the party and stared at them while they danced.

During a game of ping‑pong, he told the two women they should “use their chests as paddles” and said being “well‑endowed” was an advantage.

The tribunal concluded the behaviour was sexually motivated, saying:

“His behaviour, which involved multiple instances of unwanted physical touching, was sexually motivated.”

Tribunal rejects his claim of a conspiracy

Throughout the hearing, Dr Kuppuswamy insisted the allegations were fabricated as retaliation for what he described as “whistleblowing” about another doctor’s performance.

But the tribunal rejected this entirely, stating:

“The GMC evidence has firmly disproved that this had any relevance whatsoever… The Tribunal was satisfied that the Allegation was not a conspiracy.”

It also criticised his attempts to undermine the women’s credibility, calling his claims “unreliable, speculative” and “false”.

The panel noted he repeatedly referred to the junior doctors as “girls” and was “reluctant to accept” the power imbalance between a consultant and junior staff.

Previously struck off for dishonesty

The hearing heard that his name had been removed from the medical register once before, in 2012, after findings of dishonesty. He was restored in November 2020 — less than a year before the sexual harassment took place.

An apology letter submitted to the tribunal did not accept wrongdoing, instead apologising if anyone had “misinterpreted” his actions. The tribunal said this fell far short of demonstrating insight or remorse.

‘Failed to act with integrity’

In its final determination, the tribunal said:

“The public ought to be able to trust doctors to conduct themselves with integrity… [His] behaviour represented a significant breach of professional boundaries.”

It concluded he “failed to act with integrity” and that erasure was the only sanction that could protect public confidence.

He will be able to apply for restoration in five years.

Health board response

Hywel Dda University Health Board said it could not comment on individual staff but added:

“We have robust policies and procedures in place to ensure the safety of both staff and patients… We are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment.”

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

£481k upgrade for Withybush Hospital’s gamma camera to boost diagnostics

Gamma cameras are used to detect and diagnose a wide range of conditions by capturing detailed images of organs and tissues using gamma rays and advanced imaging technology. The upgrade will extend the life of the hospital’s existing system, enabling state‑of‑the‑art 3D imaging and more advanced analysis.

The enhanced equipment will help doctors continue diagnosing conditions and planning treatments without disruption to services.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, said:

“We’re working to ensure that hospitals across the country are equipped with modern and state‑of‑the‑art equipment to help medical teams deliver the best possible care.

This £481,000 upgrade for an enhanced gamma camera will help to maintain essential diagnostic services in West Wales and help prevent treatment delays, ensuring people receive timely and effective care.”

Dr Liaquat Khan, Clinical Director of Radiology at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said the funding would enhance the hospital’s nuclear medicine facilities:

“It will allow us to introduce new post‑processing software that offers a more comprehensive and sophisticated analysis of the images we take.

It will also help us to improve patients’ experience when they are in our care, creating a more comfortable and welcoming environment for people undergoing specialist imaging procedures. This vital piece of equipment serves not only Withybush Hospital but also provides specialist nuclear medicine imaging across the entire health board and beyond.”

#GammaCamera #Haverfordwest #HywelDdaNHS #JeremyMilesMS #WelshGovernment #WithybushHospital

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

Four hospitals to install defibrillators that the public can use

Hywel Dda University Health Board have announced that members of the public now have access to four new defibrillators on each of its main hospital sites. 

These are at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen at the main entrance by the hospital sign, Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli by the bus stop at the entrance to the hospital, Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth by the pharmacy entrance and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest at the roundabout on the main entrance.

The health board says this has been made possible by collaboration between the health board and Save a Life Cymru to install public access defibrillators for use in the community. 

It added that for every minute that CPR and defibrillation is not commenced the chance of survival decreases by 10%. Immediate CPR and early defibrillation can significantly increase survival.

Save a Life Cymru provided the four defibrillators at no cost to the health board. The defibrillators are housed in heated cabinets and will be checked regularly by volunteer ‘guardians’. Each public access defibrillator is registered with the National Defibrillator Network (The Circuit) and this means that should they be needed, the 999 ambulance call taker will be able to direct someone to them.  

The defibrillators are said to be really easy to use and offer voice prompts. In the event of a cardiac arrest, members of the public will need to call 999. They will be advised where the nearest defibrillator is located and to follow the instructions provided (visual, phone, defibrillator) while performing CPR and providing defibrillation. Never stop CPR, always send someone else to fetch the defibrillator for you.

Professor Len Nokes, Chair of Save a Life Cymru said: “We are delighted to have provided new public access defibrillators at four key locations on the Hywel Dda estate. This gives the surrounding communities and visitors to these sites 24/7 access to lifesaving defibrillators. We know that for every minute someone’s in cardiac arrest without receiving CPR and having a defibrillator used on them, their chance of survival decreases by 10%. 

“Marc Gower, our Save a Life Cymru’s Community Co-ordinator in west Wales, will be supporting the defibrillator guardians to make sure defibrillators continue to be registered on The Circuit so that their locations are made available to the Welsh Ambulance Service.  This will ensure that the 999 call takers can direct a bystander to a registered defibrillator and help save more lives.”

Dr Eiry Edmunds, Interim Deputy Medical Director for Acute for the health board said: “I am proud of our collaboration with Save a Life Cymru to ensure public access defibrillators are available at our hospital sites. This collaboration provides potentially lifesaving equipment for our communities.”

Mark Henwood, Executive Medical Director at the health board, said: “I am very pleased to hear that we are the second health board in Wales to engage with Save a Life Cymru to provide public access defibrillators. This will be a great development for the health of our communities and will save lives. I wish to personally thank Save a Life Cymru, all those individuals who have donated and also the volunteer guardians.”

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