HEALTH Bosses have again come under fire, this time from Severnside councillors furious at the withdrawal of orthopaedic services in Caldicot.

Following the Aneurin Bevan Health Board's controversial decision to close the minor injuries unit at Chepstow Community Hospital, councillors have launched a scathing attack on the Board for 'ignoring the people of Severnside'.

Last November ABHB announced a number of changes in Monmouthshire, including closing the minor injuries units at Chepstow and Monmouth's Monnow Vale Hospitals as well as withdrawing its Orthopaedic services from Caldicot Surgery.

ABHB immediately came under attack from local residents and councillors who branded the decision 'appalling and irresponsible'.

Chepstow councillors lashed out at the board's locality manager, Angela Jones, during a Lower Wye Meeting over the failure toconsult them on the proposal who said: "I put my hands up. I should have picked up the phone."

Mrs Jones was scheduled to attend a Severnside Commiiittee meeting last week to answer questions on the withdrawal of orthopaedic services in Caldicot. However, she sent her apologies.

Caldicot councillor, Dave Evans said: "Here we go again. They failed to consult over the closure of the minor injuries unit and didn't even bother to consider how it would affect Caldicot. They eventually went to a Chepstow meeting but completely ignored the people of Severnside."

Magor and Undy Community Cllr and secretary of Caldicot's patient participation group, Sue Sandham, added: "I'm getting fed up of not knowing what is going on with my health care from one minute to the next.

"I'm getting older and it concerns me, as it does many other ageing people that they've withdrawn the orthopaedic service. Their argument is we're too near the Royal Gwent (Newport) but this service is for people struggling with arthritis and hip replacements, people who struggle traveling long distances especially on public transport."

Members voted to call a special meeting requesting that either Ms Jones or the Chief Executive of ABHB attend to explain its decision and the lack of consultation.