Original article published by the Tenby Observer - available at: http://www.tenby-today.co.uk/article.cfm?id=117930&headline=Petition%20…  

by Observer Reporter

reporters@thetenbyobserver.co.uk

A petition calling for the return of 24-hour consultant obstetrics, paediatrics and SCBU to Withybush Hospital has been closed by a Senedd committee.

The petitions committee held its latest discussion this weel on the petition submitted by SWAT a year ago.

It demanded the return of services removed in 2014 in light of figures campaigners said proved an increase in still births.

At the time the petition was signed by 3,532 people and has now been superseded by the latest petition against Hywel Dda University Health Board proposals to radical change services across its three counties.

That online petition has more than 22,000 signatures and continue to grow while paper petitions have been handed out across Pembrokeshire.

Members of the committee met on May 15 and said that in light of changes to the situation that it would close the petition, and clarify why this decision was taken with the petitioner.

Janet Finch-Saunders AM said she supported the petition, highlighting success in retaining such services in north Wales due to community engagement.

Rhun ap Iorwerth AM recommended contacting the petitioner to ask if they would be content to close it in order to allow the committee to concentrate on the current petition once submitted “in light of changes and reviews of service provision.”

The petition had been discussed in February and further information requested from the Community Health Council received last month.

This included asking more about health board claims that the number of still births in 2015 compared “favourably” to maternity units of a similar size, said committee chairman David Rowlands.