Delays To Downgrade Maternity Services Welcomed

The downgrading of maternity services at a North Wales Hospital have been delayed while ‘alternative’ proposals are looked into.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board had initially announced plans to downgrade maternity services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and Breast Cancer services at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital. The plans were initially set to take place on April 6th.

The announcements had been met with strong opposition, resulting in protests and petitions from thousands across North Wales.

Following receipt of an alternative solution for the interim changes to obstetric, gynaecology, neonatal and breast surgery services by consultant medical staff, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has made the decision to postpone the implementation date for any changes for a short time.

Trevor Purt, Chief Executive for the Health Board said: “We welcome the alternative proposals put forward by consultants in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

“We will now give them proper consideration and postpone implementation of any temporary changes to services for up to two weeks until this work is complete”

“The work of the Implementation Group will continue to assess the safety of any temporary solution.”

“We will continue to ensure that we keep everyone informed of the position and we intend to continue with the drop in sessions for the public over the next two weeks.”

North Wales’ Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Aled Roberts, has welcomed the decision to defer the plan to downgrade maternity services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and remove breast cancer surgery from the Wrexham Maelor and Gwynedd hospitals. He is now demanding that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board undertake a proper consultation on the provision of services at all three sites.

“Common sense has prevailed over the botched decisions on maternity and breast cancer surgery,” commented Aled Roberts. “They were taken under the urgency procedure but, as the Community Health Council pointed out to the Health Minister, problems within the maternity services had been in evidence months before.

“Senior officials within the Health Board have raised the idea of concentrating different health services on one site so that the three hospitals in North Wales operate as one. But there has been no proper discussion of this proposal. Such a radical rethink of our health services needs to be the subject of widespread consultation.

“My own view is that the concept of one hospital on three sites will not work in North Wales given the geography and long distances that make travelling across our region very difficult. Many patients would be left isolated from their families unless specialist medical teams become more mobile or there is major investment in public transport.”

However there are still concerns surrounding the future of breast cancer services at the Wrexham Maelor and there have been calls for more openness regarding the long-term vision of North Wales Healthcare.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, long term health campaigner and Plaid Cymru Parliamentary Candidate for Clwyd South said: “The news that implementation of the proposed maternity changes are being put back by a fortnight in order for the Health Board to consider new proposals should be cautiously welcomed. However we are no clearer if this fortnight delay also applies to the changes to Breast Cancer Services.

“Making vital changes to healthcare provision on the hoof is no way to treat patients. Breast Cancer patients and expectant mothers are under enough distress as it is, and the last thing they need is to be pushed from pillar to post.

“It seems to me that the Welsh Government have placed Trevor Purt there to carry out their dirty work, but now that the public are making their voices heard the Government are getting cold feet. They need to be honest with us about what their long-term vision is for health care in north Wales. Playing with people’s lives like this is not they way to manage any organisation, and certainly is no way to Govern.”

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