 The review team presented their findings at the start of March |
Health watchdogs have warned that proposed changes to maternity services in mid and west Wales could force expectant mothers to travel miles for specialist or emergency treatment. A new report is recommending a shake-up that would see the main consultant-led service being based at Carmarthen.
A review by three Royal Colleges called the existing provision unsustainable.
It says Withybush in Pembrokeshire and Bronglais in Ceredigion should have midwife-led hospital services instead.
But health watchdogs and campaigners are already warning that it would force many women to travel to Carmarthen to give birth.
The report has been commissioned by the NHS trusts and local health boards in the region.
Local ante-natal services would be increased, but mothers needing specialist or emergency treatment would have to travel.
Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest currently deals with around 1,250 births a year, about a third of which are free of complications and could be dealt with by a midwife.
But campaigners warn many of the other parents would have to journey outside the county to Carmarthen.
"Devastating blow"
Ashley Warlow, chief officer to the Pembrokeshire Community Health Council, said: "The transfer of services elsewhere is the easy option.
 | SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS: Carmarthen becomes main obstetrician-led maternity unit for Dyfed Carmarthen becomes main gynaecology inpatient centre for south Dyfed Maternity services at Withybush become midwifery led Ceredigion 'migrates' to predominantly midwifery led service Increase in local provision of ante-natal clinics across Dyfed Inpatient paediatric services concentrated at Carmarthen with extended day centre at Withybush Source: Royal Colleges report |
"Any loss of such core services, and the knock on effect upon other services at Withybush, could be a devastating blow from which we might never fully recover.
"If these proposals are implemented the future is indeed grim."
The report was commissioned as part of a wide ranging review of services in the region by the Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Paediatricians.
The NHS trusts said the report would now be reviewed in detail along with other options for "improving" services.
They say any proposed changes would be subject to full public consultation.
Dr Alan Axford, medical director at Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust, said: "This report is in no way critical of the services we provide.
"Neither is it stating that there will be no obstetrician led maternity care in Ceredigion in the future.
"However, the report does challenge us to look more closely as the way we deliver services in partnership with neighbouring trusts to improve the care we provide for women."
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If these proposals are implemented the future is indeed grim
