The plan would see operations centralised in Cardiff

Under the new recommendations from Health Commission Wales, Swansea's Morriston Hospital will keep performing some emergency operations.

But GP and Plaid Cyrmu AM Dr Dai Lloyd claims the move amounts to the closure of Swansea's specialist unit.

Health experts claim the plans are the best way to stop services being moved to England.

Plaid Cymru's Dr Lloyd said the increased role of the University Hospital of Wales meant Swansea's centre of excellence "would be no more".

"We can have clever management speak about retaining emergency services, but this is a significant downgrading of an excellent unit," he said.

I am personally committed to keeping specialist services in Wales for Welsh people Professor Ken Woodhouse

"Frankly, I view it as closure of what we knew as Morriston neurological unit."

Two years ago, there was massive opposition to previous plans to close the department at Morriston.

Steve Sullivan, one of the leaders of the Kids Come First campaign which was set up to fight the closure of the Morriston unit, said he was "disgusted, angry and frightened" by the plans.

"I am very bitter - I don't know where we turn from here," he said.

'Committed'

The Health Commission argues that the recommendations represent the best way of keeping paediatric neurosurgery in Wales.

Professor Ken Woodhouse, who chairs the national commissioning board, said facilities were in danger of being completely lost to England.

Dai Lloyd is a major supporter of the Morriston hospital unit

"Our advice is by combining these services, we will have a service that is large enough to be sustainable," he said.

"I am personally committed to keeping specialist services in Wales for Welsh people if that is the best option, and in this case I think it is."

And chief executive Stuart Fletcher denied Morriston's unit was to close.

"Certainly we will be maintaining provision for emergency neurosurgical cases in Swansea," he said.

"It was made quite clear to us the people in west Wales were keen to ensure the continuance of local access for children who needed emergency care."

Recent research has found that 50 operations are performed at Cardiff each year, while 32 are carried out annually in Swansea.

Swansea NHS Trust has said it is "committed to working together with our colleagues in Cardiff and the Vale NHS Trust to ensure the success of the chosen option."

If the plan is approved by the Swansea Community Health Council, it can progress without a decision from the Welsh Health Minister.