Davies and Kurtz Accuse Welsh Government of “Hiding Behind Health Board” Over Hywel Dda Plans

The Welsh Government has been accused by Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz MS of “ducking responsibility” and “hiding behind an unelected health board” following its response to concerns about sweeping service changes proposed by Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Following a Joint letter written by Senedd Members, Samuel Kurtz and Paul Davies to Welsh Government, urging them to intervene in changes to services at Withybush Hospital discussed at the extraordinary board meeting held in February, they have insisted that decisions about the Clinical Services Plan (CSP) rest with the health board, despite widespread public concern about the future of services across West Wales.

Critics say this response highlights a growing pattern of the Welsh Government attempting to distance itself from controversial decisions affecting frontline NHS services.

Commenting, Paul Davies MS said:

“This response is deeply disappointing but sadly not surprising. The Welsh Government is once again trying to pass the buck and avoid accountability by hiding behind an unelected health board.”

“Let’s be absolutely clear - health boards are not independent actors. They are created, funded and directed by the Welsh Government. Ministers cannot wash their hands of decisions that will have such a profound impact on communities across West Wales.”

Samuel Kurtz MS added:

“People in Pembrokeshire are rightly concerned about what these changes mean for local services, particularly at Withybush Hospital. Attempting to suggest that key services like the emergency department sit outside of these plans will do little to reassure the public, when we have seen services hallowed out and destabilised over the last decade.”

“The Welsh Government must stop hiding behind process and start taking responsibility for the future of healthcare in our communities.”