Many of you may not be aware that services at Bronglais hospital are potential threatened by a new plan from the Health Board that operates it. A leaked document showed that many servies including emergency surgery would potential close and patients would have to travel over 60 miles to receive treatment. The health board seems to have completely missed that students exist in Aber as no consultation with students has happened. With that in mind I have written the letter below to Hywel Dda Health Board, I will post up a reply when (hopefully) I receive one.

 

 

"Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to raise concerns over the proposed cuts to Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth and to ask whether the Board has considered the potential detrimental affect that these cuts would have on the student population of Aberystwyth?

During term time, students are over half the population of Aberystwyth (7,275) and many stay throughout the holiday periods as well. This include an increasing amount of international students that now study at the University. One of the benefits of being a student in Aberystwyth is the easy access to hospital facilities, especially in such a rural location where transport is often an issue.

Campaign groups have raised many concerns about the proposed cuts and some of these will impact on student well being in the town. The biggest concern for me would be the potential loss of emergency surgery, resorting to patients having to travel around sixty miles to receive healthcare.

For a student this poses huge issues, many do not bring a car to University and rely on public transport. With this in mind how would you expect students to travel for hospital care? For many young people the move to university is often the first step away from their parents and therefore away from family support. I'm sure the current easy access to full hospital services puts many parents minds at ease

I would like to know what steps you have taken to make sure that students in Aberystwyth have been thought of when considering future plans for Bronglais? The lack of consultation with the student body demonstrates a complete disregard for such a large part of the Aberystwyth population.

In light of these concerns, I look forward to engaging with the health board on future issues and I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Ben Meakin

President,

Aberystwyth University Guild of Student"