I requested a meeting with the Hywel Dda University Health Board management and met with Steve Moore, Chief Executive and Dr Phil Kloer, Clinical Director, last Friday at Withybush Hospital. We had a frank and honest discussion about the state of recruitment across the Hywel Dda area and I am very aware of the challenges at Withybush especially in terms of keeping A&E open. The staff there are doing an amazing job and they deserve our full support and commitment.
I have already had urgent discussions this week with my Ministerial colleagues about recruitment in the NHS and the particular challenges that we have here in Wales. I am awaiting details from the Health Board about the specific visa cases and will be working with the Home Office team to get these much needed medical staff in post as soon as possible.
There is no question that current recruitment difficulties have been made worse across Wales by the damaging and needless budget cuts that the Welsh Labour Government have made even after they were given the extra money to protect health services in Wales.