🚑 **New Hospital in West Wales: A Dream on Hold?** 🏥
Plans for a much-needed ‘super-hospital’ in Carmarthenshire seem to be gathering dust yet again. Proposed back in 2006, the ambitious project aimed to replace Glangwili Hospital and Withybush Hospital’s A&E services with a state-of-the-art facility. But, nearly two decades later, and without land purchased or funding secured, the dream appears to be fizzling out. 🌫️
Hywel Dda University Health Board, tasked with healthcare across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, and Ceredigion, estimated the project at over £1bn. Despite initial optimism, reality has hit hard, and there’s still no site development or financial backing. As a result, both Glangwili and Prince Philip hospitals continue to face immense pressures, from parking headaches to long A&E waits, and even halted services. 😓
Last year, a rugby player in Nantgaredig had to endure six chilly hours on the pitch waiting for an ambulance located just five miles away! 🚑
Meanwhile, at Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital, the health board’s decision to reduce the 24-hour minor injuries unit to 12 hours has stirred local protests. Despite promises, its full service will not be returning. Over in Pembrokeshire, Withybush Hospital sparks its own concerns, with potential changes up for public consultation and a lingering sense of “what’s next?” 🤔
Join the conversation: Should west Wales keep holding its breath for a new super-hospital, or focus on bolstering existing facilities? Share your thoughts below! 💬
#WestWales #HealthcareCrisis #HospitalDebate #NHSChallenges