Written question WQ100431
- Asked by
- Paul DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 13 days
Question
What criteria must Hywel Dda University Health Board meet in order for the Welsh Government to intervene and stop the removal and or downgrading of hospital services from Withybush and Bronglais hospitals?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care (Mabon ap Gwynfor)
Services must be safe, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of local populations and delivered in line with professional standards and clinical guidance. This includes robust planning around demand, capacity, workforce, and financial resources to ensure services are effective and resilient.
Health boards are best placed to assess the specific needs of their communities. Where service changes are proposed, health boards are expected to undertake a rigorous options appraisal, Impact Assessment, and engage appropriately with local communities, patients, staff and partners including Llais, in line with the following national guidance: How to make changes to health services: guidance for NHS organisations | GOV.WALES
The Welsh Government expects health boards to develop and consider any proposed changes in accordance with this guidance. Where there is evidence of significant concerns regarding the process followed, governance arrangements, or the quality and safety of services, the Welsh Ministers may consider what action is appropriate in the circumstances. The respective roles of health boards, Llais and the Welsh Ministers are set out in the above guidance.