Russell George raises concerns over stroke services in mid Wales

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00:00which serves large parts of my own constituency, and you will be aware that Hywel Ddaís health

00:05board are considering proposals that include the downgrading of stroke services at Bronglais

00:11hospital, which would mean that mid Wales patients suffering from a stroke would have

00:17to be transferred to Withybush or Llanelli.

00:20Now, as you know, Cabinet Secretary, every hour is critical following a stroke, and all

00:27options proposed would mean my constituents would not have access to time-critical care,

00:34and time-critical is something you mentioned in your earlier answer to me, Cabinet Secretary.

00:41Apart from not receiving access to treatment quickly, of course, recovery is also important,

00:47and it is entirely unreasonable, I would suggest, and often impractical, for someone living

00:51in Llaneglais or Machynlleth a relative to have to travel to Withybush in order to visit

00:59a relative.

01:00So, how are you supporting Powys patients and Powys health boards to ensure that there

01:05is sufficient and timely acute stroke services for Powys patients?

01:11Vaughan Gething AM.

01:12Well, my understanding is that no decision has yet been taken by Hywel Dda in relation

01:16to reconfiguration of stroke services, and there will be a consultation on that in May.

01:24He makes an important point about the implications for residents living outside the footprint

01:27of the health board in relation to that kind of reconfiguration, and I do expect health

01:34boards to undertake a rigorous options appraisal with that in mind, and a collaborative approach,

01:40not just with delivery partners, obviously, which is critical, and the Stroke Association

01:45and others, but with neighbouring health boards, where there are implications for residents

01:51in those health board areas as well.

01:53My understanding from the health board is that they've said that the initial care and

01:58treatment for stroke patients will not change, and that all four main hospitals, including

02:03Bronglais, will still be able to provide life-saving thrombolysis, and the rehabilitation provision

02:10as well also won't be affected.

02:12But I would expect both health boards to be in discussion in relation to the implications

02:15for those residents outside the footprint of Hywel Dda itself.