Stephen believes that the latest Health Board plans to remove Accident and Emergency services at Withybush and potentially downgrade it to a cottage hospital is of deep concern. He helped fight Labour’s first attempt to downgrade the hospital in 2005 and has challenged Welsh Labour Ministers in Cardiff about their devastating cuts. Stephen opposed the closure of SCBU and overnight paediatrics and has been an active supporter of the local campaign group. He regularly calls the Hywel Dda Health Board to account over decisions affecting local patients.
He helped to secure a mass vaccination centre for Haverfordwest during the Covid-19 vaccination drive so that local people could access vaccinations closer to home.
Stephen believes that the latest proposals are yet another example of how residents and NHS staff are being let down by Welsh Government who have responsibility for delivering our health care service in Wales. Waiting times for treatment in Wales are at a record high and more than double than those in England. 1 in 7 people are on a waiting list and that list is soaring. A&E waiting times are unacceptable and accessing GP and dental care is getting more difficult.
In the recent budget the UK Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, gave the Welsh Government £2.5 billion per year in funding, on top of its annual baseline funding of £15.9 billion. This is most generous funding settlement since devolution in 1998 and gives the Welsh Government sufficient funding certainty to plan in-year spending and to provide additional future investments in health care across Wales. Stephen wants more of this money spent in Pembrokeshire on local health services for residents.