Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Mabon ap Gwynfor has issued a strong call for the proposed downgrading of stroke services at Ysbyty Bronglais to be urgently reconsidered.
Addressing a rally outside the Senedd ahead of a debate on stroke services at Bronglais, Mr ap Gwynfor voiced deep concern over plans that could see Ysbyty Bronglais downgraded to a ‘treat and transfer’ site. This would mean patients would receive initial treatment locally before being transferred to hospitals as far away as Llanelli or Haverfordwest.
Mr ap Gwynfor warned that this change heralded a fundamental shift away from how care is delivered to local communities, undermining the principle of care close to home, risking devastating consequences for patients and families, particularly in south Meirionnydd where travel times are long and public transport is unreliable.
Mr ap Gwynfor is calling for the plan to be re-thought from the ground up, with genuine regional collaboration between health boards and communities, specialist clinical leadership to ensure high-quality stroke care, and a firm commitment to local provision that recognises the unique needs of rural Wales.
Mabon ap Gwynfor MS said:
This proposal is not just a technical change - it’s a fundamental shift in how care is delivered to our communities. I’ve spoken with families in south Meirionnydd who are deeply worried. Downgrading stroke services at Bronglais would be a betrayal of the communities who rely on it. We need a service that is rooted in the realities of rural life - not one that forces vulnerable patients to travel hours for essential care. In rural areas like Tywyn, Llanymawddwy or Machynlleth, public transport is patchy at best. If a loved one is transferred miles away, how do families visit? How do they stay involved in care and recovery? These are not minor inconveniences - they’re barriers that isolate patients and put strain on carers. One woman from Dolgellau told me how her father suffered a stroke last year and was treated swiftly at Bronglais - she credits that local response with saving his life. We need a stroke service that reflects the geography and reality of life in mid and west Wales. That means genuine regional collaboration, specialist clinical leadership, and a commitment to care that’s close to home. Ysbyty Bronglais has served our communities with dedication and skill - it must not be reduced to a stopgap ‘treat and transfer’ site. This is about dignity, safety, and fairness. I urge the Welsh Government and health boards to listen to the voices of our communities and rethink this plan before irreversible harm is done.