Parents says the closure of children’s in-patient care at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital will cause undue stress.
Cwm Taf Health Board plans to transfer children who need in-patient care to other hospitals outside the county, and only have an assessment centre for them at the Llantrisant hospital.
But more than 5,000 people have signed a petition opposing the change, which is due to happen this summer.
From then, children who need to stay overnight or longer will be transferred to the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil or the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
Sam Trask, a parent who set up the petition said: “The extra travelling time to get to their children will be extremely stressful and this move would leave the entire county of Rhondda Cynon Taf without any children’s in-patient services at all and I find this to be unacceptable.”
In a statement, Cwm Taf Health Board defended their decision.
The health board said: “The consultation focused on paediatrics and emergency medicine which would in future need to be provided at fewer hospitals across South Wales to ensure their sustainability and provide the best possible care for patients.
“Minor injuries will continue to be seen and treated in the A&E at Royal Glamorgan Hospital, which is open 24 hours a day. Children suffering a very severe illness or injury will be taken to the nearest hospital”.
