South Wales weekly newspaper The Llanelli Star is claiming a key campaign triumph after leading a drive to stop emergency surgery being moved from the town’s hospital.

The newspaper reacted quickly when recommendations to move the operations from Prince Philip Hospital, printing petition forms and collecting 2,000 signatures in less than two weeks.

And hours before the Star went to press, plans were scrapped.

Editor Andy Pearson said: “We simply did what local papers do best, harnessing people power to show the powers that be that they should think again.

“Save Our Surgery only lasted two weeks but what a result! It really was a case of nipping a problem in the bud.”

The Carmarthenshire Local Health Board threw out a report drawn up by the Royal College of Surgeons to move surgical services to Carmarthen, 25 miles west of Llanelli.

Key public figures supported the Star campaign and it was praised by health watchdogs and local Welsh Assembly member Catherine Thomas.

Andy said: “Removing emergency surgery, we believe, would have meant a threat to life and downgrading of services at Prince Philip.

“Those enduring emergency surgery want to be as close to home as possible. Such a situation is a crucial part of the recuperation process. Those with friends undergoing surgery want to be near them. They want to visit and help.

“Moreover, the loss of emergency surgery could well have had a knock-on effect – surgical staff leaving for hospitals with higher level facilities … and a possible loss of scheduled surgery.”

Last summer Prince Philip’s A&E unit returned to 24-hour opening after the 16,700-circulation Star had fought a high-profile eight-month campaign against night-time closure.

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