The number of people who have signed a petition to retain important children’s health facilities in Swansea has reached 72,500 – enough to fill the Millennium Stadium.

The total has jumped to more than 75,000 this week but the South Wales Evening Post used its front page to put more pressure on the Welsh Assembly with a photo of the sports stadium, asking members: “Whose side are you on?”

They are due to decide on a proposal on whether to end a Swansea-based children’s head injury service and see it transferred to Cardiff.

Welsh affairs correspondent Susan Bailey said: “It is far and away the biggest petition the Welsh Assembly has seen since its inception more than three years ago. Our campaign goes on over the summer as the public consultation process has now begun.

“That consultation was only granted in the first place after the uproar when we revealed the plans. Before then, it was only going to the five Welsh health authorities for their views.”

When the campaign started ten weeks ago a local MP said it would become the Assembly’s acid test, because the massive response to the Post’s campaign reflects the strong public anger over the plan.

The paper’s editorial Opinion column said: “The health quango’s arguments about centralising paediatric neurosurgery in Cardiff are falling on stony ground as parents across South West Wales realise what could happen in a medical emergency.

“Not only sick children are at risk, but perfectly healthy ones who fall off their bikes or get hurt in a road accident. They would be forced to travel all the way to Cardiff.

“If we all shout long and hard enough, the powers that be in Cardiff dare not turn a deaf ear.”

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