1.8 The 13.5-week public consultation period began on 29 May 2025 and ended on 31 August 2025, during which time members of the public, Hywel Dda staff members, organisations, and other stakeholders were invited to give feedback on the options and anything else they felt the Health Board should consider in relation to the nine services.
1.9 Hywel Dda University Health Board enabled stakeholders to access a wide range of resources throughout the CSP consultation. Formats included a bilingual full consultation document, a bilingual summary version, bilingual Easy Read and youth-friendly versions, a British Sign Language video, and a bilingual audio version. Summary documents were translated into Arabic, Polish, Ukrainian and Russian. Supporting technical documents were not translated and were available in English only.
1.10 Supporting materials were also provided. These included reports from the options appraisal process, travel insights, and impact assessments. The Teulu Jones case studies were developed to illustrate how proposed changes could affect communities. Eleven videos were created for use on social media platforms - nine short form reels, one for each service, and two overarching longer form videos (which were also used at engagement sessions).
1.11 Alongside these resources, the Health Board delivered a communications campaign to raise awareness and encourage participation. Proactive media activity including press releases, responses to media enquiries and interviews generated approximately 106 news items across 12 regional and national publications. This included interviews with BBC Wales, S4C, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Cymru Wales. Briefings were also undertaken with Members of the Senedd and Members of Parliament.
1.12 To reach communities that do not access information online, the Health Board delivered a three-county leaflet drop to all households and businesses in the region. Consultation information was also displayed on hospital digital screens. Posters were displayed at hospital sites and promotional materials were distributed through the engagement database, primary care, and community venues. Paid radio advertising supported this activity to reach audiences who rely on offline channels.
1.13 Targeted social media campaigns promoted consultation events and materials. Organic social media posts were used to maintain momentum. Stakeholders were signposted via direct email and communication activities to the dedicated consultation website, where all resources were available.
1.14 Documents were distributed via a stakeholder mass mailout, at face-to-face meetings, engagement events, and visits to a range of settings, as well as being available on request via post, telephone or email. In all, over 6,900 stakeholders received consultation documents; 6,235 by email and 668 by post (which included paper copies of a consultation document and questionnaire by post). GP practices, Community Hospitals, Integrated Care Centres and Llais West Wales received several copies to share. The Health Board shared information about the consultation on its stands at the Royal Welsh Show and Pembrokeshire County Show.