 Dr Gibbons said there were issues that needed further consideration |
Health minister Brian Gibbons said he wants a rethink on controversial plans to move neurosurgery from Swansea. He has asked Health Commission Wales (HCW) to reconsider its proposal to centralise the service in Cardiff.
Over 100,000 people signed a petition opposing the change which was delivered to the assembly government last month.
Dr Gibbons said new issues had arisen out of the public consultation process and HCW should take more time to look at the plan.
His announcement has been welcomed by Swansea NHS Trust which had opposed the move.
It had argued Morriston Hospital in Swansea was better placed geographically than Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales to serve all of south Wales.
It also said Morriston was unique as it was the only site in Wales with all the main trauma services.
 |  It has become clear that a number of significant issues have emerged |
HCW had said a single service in Cardiff would help safeguard the future of this service in south Wales, and would allow it to develop a wider range of neurosurgical services for the region.
It said its decision was based on "solely on improving patient care".
In a letter to HCW, Dr Gibbons said there were three issues that needed further consideration.
He said the commission should take into account plans for a new "super hospital" for Swansea which were not available when the original report was drawn-up.
He also said an on-going review into the future of specialist paediatric services in south Wales and a report on the Wales Ambulance Service and the impact of the change should be considered.
Dr Gibbons said there was "widespread recognition" south Wales could only sustain one neuroscience centre.
"A detailed independent assessment has already been carried out but as the consultation has progressed it has become clear that a number of significant issues have emerged," he said.
"We all want neurosurgery services to be accessible and safe for all patients in south, mid and west Wales."
The acting chief executive of Swansea NHS Trust Calum Campbell said he welcomed the comments.
"We also welcome this as an opportunity to explore further the implications on trauma services for south west Wales if the neurosurgery service did move to Cardiff," he said.
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