GLANGWILI hospital could be left without emergency services or doctors as the NHS prepares for “the biggest change that has ever happened in the west.”

Members of the Hywel Dda University Health Board attended a meeting of Carmarthenshire County Council to outline potential planned changes to healthcare in the district ahead of a public consultation next month.

Six options were presented to members by Dr Phil Kloer, executive medical director of the health board, and director of clinical strategy.

Three of the plans saw Glangwili becoming a planned care centre which would see it lose its emergency services and trauma services.

The centre would be used for all scheduled operations and nothing else.

The other three plans would see the hospital become a community hub where you could go for anything that does not require seeing a doctor.

Dr Kloer explained: “Glangwili would change to take on anything that does not require an overnight medical rota; anything without a doctor.

“That is a considerable amount when you look at things like chemotherapy.”

The options put forward by the health board could also see a facility similar to Amman Valley hospital built in Cross Hands.

There is also a possibility of a new emergency care centre being built between Narberth and St Clears. However, if it is not, emergency patients to the west of the county would have to travel as far as Withybush, in Haverfordwest.

The changes will have an impact on Morriston hospital, with more patients from the Amman Valley and east Carmarthenshire travelling there for emergency treatment.

However, Dr Kloer said changes were necessary: “A lot of our buildings are outdated. Glangwili was built in 1958 and there are parts of it which are not going to be fit for the next generation.

“There is a massive predicted increase in over 80s in our society in the coming years and while that is a success story, it will also bring on a range of challenges. We need to be designing a system that is very different and much more proactive.

“All of these options are put forward with the understanding that primary and community care is transformed.”

Bernadine Rees OBE, chair of the health board, added: “We cannot continue to provide a sustainable service under the current arrangement of care. This is the biggest change that has ever happened in West Wales.”

Kevin Madge, county councillor for Garnant, said all sections of the community should be consulted ahead of the changes due to the impact on the Amman Valley.

He said: “The consultation has got to be thorough and has to go to every community and make sure everyone gets a say. Can Morriston cope with the extra numbers that will go to Morriston if you move some of these services further afield? That is a big question for the Amman Valley.”

The health board will narrow the shortlist down to two or three final options which will be presented to the public as part of a 12 week consultation launching on April 19.