Darren Millar, Assembly Member for Clwyd West, has commented following reports that the uncertainty over the future of maternity services in North Wales is set to continue.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s review of maternity and neonatal services in North Wales is now not expected to complete until September. Under the review, consultant-led maternity services could be axed at one or more of the three main hospital sites with existing services replaced by a midwife led unit. There are currently consultant-led services at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan and the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Commenting on the news, Darren said:
‘I’m disappointed that local NHS chiefs are allowing the uncertainty surrounding the future of consultant-led maternity units in North Wales continue.
‘Many people have suggested that the delays in decision making could be down to this matter being kicked into the long grass to avoid any inconvenience and embarrassment for the Labour-Plaid Assembly Government in Cardiff Bay. I very much hope that this isn’t the case.
‘The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board should move quickly to guarantee the future of consultant-led services at each of the three main hospitals in North Wales, anything less would be totally unacceptable.’
He continued:
‘I challenged the First Minister to rule out the loss of consultant led services in the Senedd last week. I was disappointed that he refused to give any assurances.”
