Plaid Cymru has blasted the Labour party for refusing to commit to keeping District General hospitals like Llandudno in its 2011 manifesto.
The glaring omission from the Labour document follows their plans prior to the 2007 election to close and downgrade hospitals throughout Wales – including Llandudno hospital. The plan was fiercely opposed by Plaid Cymru who brought a stop to it in government.
Plaid’s Iwan Huws said that a Labour majority in the Assembly would give the party freedom to carry out their original plan and shut Llandudno hospital. He said Labour’s refusal to commit to keeping District Generals was a stark warning to the people of Aberconwy.
Plaid’s manifesto includes a clear commitment to maintain Wales’ District General hospitals including Llandudno hospital which it saved in 2007 and a pledge to better the NHS over the next five years to better service the needs of modern Wales.
Plaid’s health spokesperson and candidate for Llanelli Helen Mary Jones said:
“Four years ago Plaid Cymru stopped Labour’s hospital closure and downgrading programme in its tracks and saved many of our hospitals. Now Labour is again asking the people of Wales for a majority in the Assembly – which would allow them to resurrect their hospital closure plan.
“We can’t allow Labour to shut our hospital and erode our local health services. They always wanted to shut it, and if they get a majority there will be nothing to stop them.
Plaid’s Aberconwy candidate Iwan Huws said:
“In 2007 Plaid promised to stop Labour’s disastrous plans to further downgrade Llandudno Hospital – and they did.
“Not only were the plans dropped but investment in Llandudno Hospital is now a top priority for the NHS in the north.
“Now Llandudno can look forward to a huge investment of up to £49 million in new and enhanced medical, surgical and diagnostic services sustaining highly-skilled jobs for local people.
“Plaid has a proven record on delivering its promises on hospitals.
“But there is only one way of ensuring the future of our hospital – and that is by returning a Plaid Cymru AM for Aberconwy.”
