Data on our population shows high areas of deprivation to the east and to the west of our area. Deprivation, a lack in necessities, is a key factor linked to health inequalities.
Areas of high deprivation are also more likely to suffer from fuel poverty and are less likely to have their own transport, which may provide challenges in travelling to the Urgent and Planned Care Hospital. However, the greater availability of community facilities locally, as well as the development of community services and repurposing Glangwili and Withybush as community hospitals, will provide the opportunity to have outpatient appointments and tests done locally.
This means that most patients will continue to receive their care mostly in their own home and communities or from more local hospitals. This will help reduce the potential negative effect of deprived communities having to travel further to the new Urgent and Planned Care Hospital, while also providing care closer to home.