The decision to move neonatal care from North Wales to England has been overturned.
Wrexham Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths has welcomed the recommendations set out in a report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) that will see enhanced neonatal services retained and developed in North Wales.
A small number of the most premature and vulnerable babies, around 36 a year, would still receive treatment at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral. This is to ensure the babies receive the best possible care and specialist treatment available.
The Welsh Government has accepted the RCPCH report recommendations to develop a centralised North Wales neonatal care model.
An independent panel will work with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to develop a business case and recommend the best site for the so-called Sub Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Centre. A decision will be made by end of March 2014.
There are currently two hospitals in North Wales that provide specialist, or level three neonatal care; Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan and the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths commented:
“I, along with the Welsh Government welcome the report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and fully support the recommendations.”
“It is certainly an important step forward and will help ensure neonatal services can continue to be delivered locally, ultimately resulting in the vast majority of babies needing high level care being treated in North Wales.”
“The Welsh Government has listened to the service users, clinicians and expert medical advice, as well as people from across North Wales and acted efficiently and accordingly.”
“The report aims to ensure the safe, secure and excellent delivery of neonatal services in North Wales continues and develops, both in the short term and longer term.”
