Managers say improvements are being made at Withybush Hospital

Chris Overton was suspended from Withybush General after handing out leaflets about concerns over changes.

Now 25 junior doctors have signed a letter criticising levels of service in a new all-women ward.

In the letter, the staff claimed there were not enough beds on the ward, even for patients who were miscarrying. The trust is looking into the claims.

Gynaecological patients at the hospital have been treated on an all-women ward since the closure of the gynaecology ward.

Sensitive conditions

In a letter to the trust, the medics said there were so few side rooms that staff were not able to break bad news or discuss sensitive conditions with patients privately.

They also complained that people with cancer-related problems were having their admissions delayed or cancelled.

The doctors want Mr Overton's suspension ended and bed capacity returned "to an adequate number, reversing all the ward closures".

Many of the concerns expressed by staff are issues that won't have come about as a result of the move Frank O'Sullivan, Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust

Frank O'Sullivan, chief executive of Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust, said: "Clearly if the concerns are right, then we need to act very quickly to address them.

"I think the point to remember in all this...is that there has been a one bed reduction in gynaecology.

"Many of the concerns expressed by staff are issues that won't have come about as a result of the move."

Ashley Warlow, chief officer of Pembrokeshire Community Health Council (CHC), said there had been a rise in concerns from the public and that the council was to hold a special meeting.

'Real concerns'

It was last month that gynaecology consultant Chris Overton was suspended after handing out leaflets to shoppers in Haverfordwest outlining his concerns.

Then, earlier this week, 23 fellow consultants criticised bed shortages and his suspension in a letter to the Western Telegraph.

Labour AM for Preseli Pembrokeshire, Tamsin Dunwoody-Kneafsey, said overall services at Withybush were good.

She added: "Everyone's putting across that there's a terrible situation in Withybush, in fact...the provision of gynaecology services is very good.

"(But) we must be concerned if any consultant gets to a point where they feel they have to go public on an issue."

Welsh Conservative health spokesman Jonathan Morgan told BBC Radio Wales that Mr Overton should be reinstated and doctors' concerns should be addressed.

He added: "If you read the letter, it states that they (doctors) believe that a previously good service has been destroyed."

Kirsty Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, said: "When staff act in this way, they do so because they have real concerns for their patients."