PROPOSALS for the future of health care in Carmarthenshire, and the wider region, have been published.

Hywel Dda University Health Board have announced three plans for changes to the way health care is provided in West Wales.

It has been described as “the biggest shake up ever in West Wales”.

The plans went out for public consultation today, with residents asked to feedback with their thoughts.

Two of the proposals would see beds removed from Amman Valley Hospital, although when a shortlist of six plans were presented to Carmarthenshire County Council last month, only one proposal involved Amman Valley Hospital losing beds.

Llandovery Hospital will remain as a community hub with beds in all three plans, while Glangwili could become a planned care unit.

All three plans involved the construction of a new community health centre in Cross Hands, and a new urgent care hospital between Narberth and St Clears The first proposal would see Glangwili become a community hospital and beds being removed from Amman Valley Hospital.

Under this plan, people would have to travel farther for emergency care, and the only hospital in the south of the Hywel Dda region would be based in West Carmarthenshire. The Health Board say this would have a negative impact on residents in the east of the county, particularly women with high risk pregnancies.

The second suggestion would again see Amman Valley Hospital lose its beds, with Glangwili becoming a community hospital. Though in this plan, Prince Phillip Hospital, in Llanelli, would become a general hospital, which would provide some of the services lost at Glangwili.

The final proposal sees Glangwili become a planned care centre, Amman Valley hospital retain its beds, and Prince Phillip become a general hospital.

The planned care centre at Glangwili would be able to carry out a full range of tests, such as x-rays and CT scans, and would be where pre-booked operations would be carried out.

In a joint statement, Carmarthenshire East and Dinefwr MP, Jonathan Edwards, and AM, Adam Price announced they would not support the withdrawal of beds from Amman Valley Hospital.

They said: “We appreciate the significant time and effort health board staff have invested in this project, and we know they have worked hard to try to produce a positive vision for a successful and sustainable health and wellbeing service fit for the future.

“We’re pleased that Llandovery Hospital is recognised in all proposals as a vital community hospital with beds, treatments, a minor injuries unit and outpatients’ department.

“With Amman Valley Hospital, however, we want to ensure our constituents that we will not support the removal of beds. If the health board wants a truly community model with more services available closer to people’s homes, then it must take off the agenda any attempt to remove beds from the Amman Valley.

“Over the coming weeks we will be engaging with residents to seek their views and urge them to also make their opinions known to the health board.”

The full proposals can be found at hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Hddchange.

A public drop in event will take place in Llandybie Memorial Hall between 2pm and 7pm on May 24.

Other feedback can be given by contacting hyweldda.engagement@wales.nhs.uk or 01554 899056.