Darren Millar, Assembly Member for Clwyd West, has spoken out following reports that the North Wales division of the British Medical Association believes that a series of medical reviews carried out by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board could ultimately lead to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd being downgraded.
The health board is currently undertaking 11 reviews of clinical services in North Wales. Areas covered by the reviews include maternity, obstetric and paediatric care, and emergency general surgery.
Following widespread public concern about the lack of consultation by the Health Board, the Welsh Assembly’s Health Wellbeing and Local Government Committee announced last week that it would conduct an inquiry into the way the reviews have been managed.
Darren said, ‘The concern being expressed by clinicians in North Wales is very worrying indeed.
‘There has already been a public outcry over the possible impact of these reviews on outcomes for patients and the Health Board must do more to reassure the public that services will continue to be delivered locally and safely.
‘My constituents deserve to have local access to high quality health services and I will fiercely oppose any proposals which could lead to the downgrading of Glan Clwyd Hospital.’
He added, ‘I hope the Committee’s inquiry will ensure that the public and other stakeholders are properly engaged in discussions about the future of health services in their locality.’
