CONCERNED parents have called for action to be taken to improve the state of the former Amman Valley Hospital maternity building, following a number of break ins from groups of youngsters.

Parents are pushing for the building to be made to secure to stop groups from being able to gain access to the property.

As well as children getting into the building there are worries about drug and drink use in the former maternity unit.

One parent said: “With the structure the way it currently is, children are gaining access through a back window into the hospital.

“Something needs to be done to keep our children safe. They are going through the park into this building.”

Councillor Kevin Madge confirmed it was something the council were looking at, and they were in talks with police about how best to tackle the problems at the maternity building.

He said: “This has been going on since 1984 really. The building was abandoned by the health authority.

“At the last council meeting the police were there and we have been bringing it up time and time again to see how we can tackle the problem and find a solution.

“Youngsters have been going through the fence and vandalising the building.

“we have asked for a meeting to be called where we can find a way to stop the issue.

“It is unsafe and the people who own it should be doing all they can to make it safe, or it should be torn down.

“I would ask anyone who has concerns about the building and its safety, or trespassing on it, to submit a complaint so that we can deal with it.”

Much to the dismay of the public, the maternity wing closed in 1984 after serving the community for decades.

The death knell for the maternity wing was sounded by the East Dyfed Health Authority at a public meeting on Thursday, April 26, 1984, which was held at Brynseion Chapel, Glanaman.

Reasons for the closure were cited as shortage of money – only half the beds were used at both the maternity wing and main block and the needs of the community had changed.

The first ever NHS baby was born there on July 5, 1948. Naming the newborn was straightforward, the inspiration was the founding father of the NHS, Aneurin Bevan.