Minister, during the south Wales programme, I and other Assembly Members and Members of Parliament campaigned together to successfully retain accident and emergency in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. So, six years on, I again share the widespread concern at these new proposals to consider a number of options, including the possibility of downgrading or removal of A&E services. 

Now, short-term modifications to health service delivery to keep patients safe can, of course, be necessary and right, but I believe, in this case, it is vital that the Royal Glamorgan continues to offer a robust accident and emergency service well into the future. Now, whilst it's important to note that this review is driven by clinicians, and it's not about money, it is now six years since the south Wales programme, which was the starting point for the health board's review, and much has changed since then. There are now a complex number of factors in play, which need to be fully understood, including the challenge of recruiting consultants, the increased demand on blue-light services and the substantially increased demand on A&E, and the massive housing and growth of population in the immediate area around.

So, I'm going to again ask the Minister to urgently intervene in this issue to commit to support a full review of the south Wales programme before any changes to A&E provision are considered.