PCH Saved, new hospital confirmed!

As a politician, there are few Government announcements that you think will be applauded almost universally by those affected. However, Mansel Aylward’s report into health services in the Merthyr Tydfil area published today* is a rare exception to this rule.

The content of Mansel's report really does justify the wait. I’m delighted that we’ve got what we’ve been fighting for – we’ve got what I’ve always argued that our area needs. Not only is the future of Prince Charles Hospital secure, as a regional hospital it can expect to retain all the crucial services – and look forward to significant investment in the future.

The proposals for the town centre hospital sound equally exciting, really cutting edge stuff – the like’s of which we haven’t yet seen anywhere in Wales. And before any political opportunists try to pick a fight over this fantastic new facility, I have been told by the Health Minister Edwina Hart that it will definitely be designated a hospital. It has taken a long time to get here, but finally we’re going to have a health service, serving local people and ready for the future.

As local people will know, I was deeply worried about the way the reorganisation process started up, and today’s news vindicates my decision to walk away from those initial discussions. Having suggested Mansel Aylward to the Health Minister as the best man to take this report forward, I’m absolutely delighted that he’s come up with a set of proposals that doesn’t just protect the status quo – but which will help transform healthcare in the area.

I am also keen that due credit goes to the Health Minister, Edwina Hart, who took at face value my concerns about the way the initial consultation was handled – and has now signalled her acceptance of Mansel Aylward’s report. She has shown commendable leadership throughout the process, and I am delighted that she has accepted Mansel's bold vision for healthcare in our area.

As always, there are a lot of complex issues surrounding service provision and new techniques in the health sector, but I always believed that you need to cut through the jargon and put the resources where they’re needed most. A variety of factors means that health issues in Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney are much more acute than in other areas of Wales – therefore we need the best hospitals, the best services. Mansel has clearly adopted the same no-nonsense approach, and this will benefit the people of the borough for generations to come.

Over 7,000 people signed my petition to keep services at Prince Charles Hospital – I’m delighted that I can report back to them with such positive news. Those who signed the petition should be rightly proud of what they have achieved - an NHS in Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney that will serve local people to the highest standard for years to come.

*With apologies - this post was written last week - problems with my Blogger profile have delayed publication.