The Community Health Council attended Hywel Dda Health Board’s Public Board meeting on Thursday where initial discussions about the future of children’s services took place. The CHC has scrutinised a number of controversial changes to services in recent years beginning with the removal of inpatient paediatric care in Withybush in 2014. The Chair of the CHC Mansell Bennett said: “We are glad to see that the Health Board is looking at ending successive temporary arrangements and are going to consult with the public on the three options for paediatric services until a new hospital is built. We know how important these services are to people and how much concern and frustration has been felt by some who feel isolated from care.” He went on to say: “We understand that the Health Board has major staffing difficulties, and that clinical safety is crucial. However, the needs of local people must be understood, and their views listened to.” The CHC has a statutory role in making sure that good quality public engagement takes place when NHS bodies want to make changes to services. It will be working closely with the Health Board to ensure that people can have their say as plans become clearer.