There are plans for midwife-led units in two hospitals

There are plans for maternity units at Aberystwyth's Bronglais Hospital, and Withybush in Haverfordwest to become midwife rather than consultant led.

One consultant has warned that the changes to maternity services could put mothers and babies at risk.

But health bosses say the current set-up is "unsustainable".

A review of medical services in mid and west Wales has produced plans to make child health and maternity services at Bronglais and Withybush hospitals midwife-led, with a consultant-led unit in the Carmarthen area.

There were similar plans in the north of Scotland where the local health board had proposed to move consultant-led maternity services from Caithness General Hospital in Wick to a unit more than 100 miles away to Inverness.

A campaign involving politicians, businessmen and local councillors eventually defeated the plans.

George Bruce urged campaigners to fight the west Wales proposals

Speaking on BBC Wales' Taro Naw programme, the chairman of the Scottish North Action Group, George Bruce, urged campaigners in west Wales to oppose the plans in their area.

He said: "Fight, fight and fight again... because if you value the service, that's the only way you're going to retain it."

Opposition to the west Wales plans has also come from Chris Overton, consultant obstetrician at Withybush hospital, who said moving the services could pose a risk for mothers and newborn babies.

"It's estimated that approximately 100 women would have to be transferred in labour from Withybush," he said.

"Things can go wrong in this transfer, and there would be an increased risk."

But the chief executive of the Ceredigion Local Health Board, Derrick Jones, said the current configuration of services was "unsustainable".

'No details'

Another proposal in the recent west Wales health review is to build a new district general hospital between Carmarthen and Haverfordwest.

Plaid Cymru AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas said he believed the proposal could divert attention from the plans to downgrade services at Haverfordwest and Aberystwyth.

He said: "We have no details regarding whether a new hospital is going to happen, and I'm afraid this could be a smokescreen."

But Mr Jones, of Ceredigion LHBs, insisted that the new hospital was a viable proposition.

He said: "We have discussed the option with the National Assembly Government and they have told us that it is a realistic possibility."

Taro Naw is broadcast at 2130 BST on Monday.