Neo-natal problems at Heath Hospital worrying for local residents
Local Welsh Liberal Democrats have expressed concern after the neo natal unit at the University Hospital of Wales was closed for the second time in recent months due to infection.
As a result of the controversial South Wales Programme of hospital reorganisations the Royal Glamorgan hospital is set to lose consultant led maternity and neo natal services with patients expected to be sent to other hospitals in the area.
Mike Powell, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly candidate for Pontypridd, says it is worrying.
"The neo natal department at the Royal Glamorgan has been downgraded in recent years and the specialist service provided there is set to disappear altogether. If there is no guarantee that the unit at the biggest hospital in Wales can provide an adequate service on a continuous basis then it is very worrying for local residents.
"The unit at the University Hospital has been closed twice since August. Some parents have had to travel across to Bristol to access the nearest neo natal cot. This adds to their stress at an already anxious time.
"It is also worrying that these outbreaks of infection are happening so frequently at this hospital – it is not going to give parents much faith in the service there.
"The Health Minister and the local Health Boards should seriously reconsider their decisions to remove services from the Royal Glamorgan."
