Neil Hamilton, UKIP Group Leader in the Assembly and AM for Mid & West Wales has expressed his dismay at a health board’s decision to continue with reduced hours for paediatric services at a Pembrokeshire Hospital.

Last week members of Hywel Dda University Health Board agreed to carry on opening for 10am – 6pm, seven days a week at the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit at Withybush Hospital.

Dr Philip Kloer, Medical Director and Director of Clinical Strategy at Hywel Dda UHB said: “Since November 2016, the Health Board has continued its efforts to attract and recruit suitably qualified staff to join the paediatric medical team, including the launch of a targeted paediatric recruitment strategy in February 2017 (http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/page/90919).

“Regrettably to date, this has not generated recruitment of a sufficient number of consultants to support the re-establishment of the 12 hour, seven days per week PACU service and the Board agreed to continue the current 10am – 6pm, seven days per week service whilst recruitment attempts continue.

“The current service arrangements are closely monitored and the impact on children / families who need to access paediatric care at Glangwili Hospital remains in line with projections considered by the Board in November 2016.”

In April, Mr Hamilton urged the Welsh Government to restore a full 24 hour paediatric service and was told by the First Minister that the health board was working hard to resolve the matter and hoped to reinstate a 12 hour service as soon as possible.

Mr Hamilton said:

“I am extremely disappointed with this news as the reduction in hours was initially introduced as a temporary measure in December 2016 because of the reduced availability of consultant paediatricians.

“It is very worrying that despite several recruitment campaigns we are still not attracting suitably qualified staff to fill our vacancies here in Wales.

“Wales is a beautiful part of the world and a great place to live and work but there must be a reason why people are not applying for these NHS posts. We obviously need to do more to attract suitably qualified people.

“I shall be writing to the Health Minister to express my disappointment over the continuation of the reduced hours at Withybush Hospital and demanding answers.”