More than 500 people have signed an online petition calling on Pembrokeshire council to champion the protection of Withybush Hospital and its services, with campaigners warning the hospital cannot survive any further cuts.
The e-petition, submitted on Monday, November 9, by the Save Withybush Campaign Group, reached the 500-signature threshold within its first day. Petitions receiving between 100 and 499 signatures prompt discussion by an overview and scrutiny committee, while those exceeding 500 are brought before the full council.
Petition urges council to protect hospital
The petition urges Pembrokeshire Council "to take a firm, unequivocal and public stand to protect Withybush Hospital, restore services that have been lost or downgraded, retain all existing services and defend access to essential healthcare across Pembrokeshire".
It also requests the council to "demonstrate leadership, challenge decisions that threaten local healthcare, and take meaningful, measurable action to secure the long-term future of Withybush Hospital and the services our communities depend upon".
Rural geography and seasonal pressures
The petition states: "Our message is clear – Pembrokeshire cannot afford to lose any more essential healthcare services. Withybush Hospital is a lifeline for Pembrokeshire. Our rural geography, long travel distances, limited public transport options and dependence on timely emergency treatment make accessible local healthcare essential, not optional."
It adds: "Our county's healthcare needs cannot be assessed by looking at permanent resident numbers alone. Pembrokeshire welcomes an estimated 6.3m visitors annually; experiences substantial seasonal population increases, and supports major industrial operations. Tourism, refinery workforces, other industrial activity, and cruise ship arrivals all contribute to the changing demands on our infrastructure, emergency services, and healthcare provision."
Call for scrutiny and action
The petition concludes: "We therefore call on Pembrokeshire council to demonstrate leadership, represent the strength of public concern and take concrete, measurable action to secure the restoration of lost services, the retention of existing services, and the long-term protection of Withybush Hospital."
The petition remains open until January 9.
