Concerns Expressed At Public Meeting Over Health Reorganisation

A strong groundswell of opposition was voiced about the local health board’s plans to move intensive neonatal care for North Wales to Arrow Park hospital on The Wirral.

At a public meeting held in Wrexham last night speaker after speaker highlighted concerns over the proposed move which is included in The Betsi Cadwaladr Consultation document. The meeting received presentations from local campaigners Ruth Drake and Brian Valentine both of whom, as parents, had personal experience of the intensive neonatal care in Wrexham and they made compelling arguments for keeping the service in Wrexham.

The meeting was chaired by Regional Assembly member Llyr Huws Gruffydd, the only other Assembly member present was Mark Isherwood. Both AM’s gave reasons for their concerns over the wider proposals within the local health boards consultation document as well as that of the future of intensive neonatal care in North Wales. There was no one present from the health board or the Welsh Government.

Dr Jessop who is a GP in Prestatyn and represents GP’s across North Wales attended the meeting but spoke as an individual GP who has serious concerns over the process and content of the health boards plans. Dr Jessop raised the issues of likely Community Hospital closures such as that planned for Llangollen and the impact that would have on both Chirk and Wrexham hospitals. He also pointed out the pitfalls of proposals to move the intensive neonatal to Arrow Park, Wirral. Dr Jessop clearly has concerns over the content of the consultation document.

Isherwood – Conservative AM who raised his concerns at the meeting.

The feeling at last nights meeting was that many proposals from Betsi Cadwaladr board needed challenging and that the people of Wrexham needed to turn up in their numbers at the formal meetings to express their concerns, or at the very least turn up to back the likes of Ruth Drake, Brian Valentine and Dr Jessop who are fighting to preserve and improve the health service in our area.

The meetings being held by The Betsi Cadwaladr Trust are being held in the Wrexham area but those wishing to attend must phone the trust to state their intention to attend.

The meetings at Chirk has already been held but the Wrexham meeting is on 1st of October 2012 and will be at the Catrin Finch Centre, Glyndwr University (2pm, 4pm, 6pm) Timed to ensure as many people as possible can attend. To get involved speak or listen just phone 0800 678 5297.

There is also a meeting at Llangollen on Wednesday 26th September and at Mold on Friday 28th September.

Members of the public can also access the consultation on line. Details are on the Betsi Cadwaldr Boards website here.

To us here at Wrexham.com it is clear from last nights public meeting that the people of Wrexham and district need to take a keen interest in the consultation to ensure that they do not receive an inferior health service in future.

(Pictured at top – Brian Valentine, Ruth Drake, Llyr Huws Gruffydd (AM), Dr Eamonn Jessup ).