Possible Judicial Review To Stop Neonatal Move

Campaigners from across North Wales united last night to oppose plans to downgrade and centralise services across the region.

Groups representing campaigns in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llangollen, Flint, Prestatyn, Llandudno and to retain neonatal intensive care in the North were present at the emergency meeting in St Asaph tonight. In a statement from the meeting they said they had decided to call themselves the North Wales Health Alliance:

“We have come together because there is strength in unity.

“We are considering a legal challenge to the entire process. The advice we have received suggests Betsi Cadwaladr health board is vulnerable to a challenge.”

The meeting, attended by more than 30 activists including county councillors, unanimously backed a vote of no confidence in Betsi Cadwaladr’s health board for failing to consult adequately over community hospital closures and proposals to move neonatal intensive care to Arrowe Park on the Wirral.

The statement added: “We understand the Community Health Council executive board is meeting on Wednesday. We have had a good engagement with some local CHC representatives but have reservations about the executive board. We hope that the executive will start to represent the community’s views.”

In view of the possibility of a Judicial Review, the newly formed alliance also called on health minister Lesley Griffiths to immediately halt what they described as “the closure by stealth” of community facilities across the North without adequate replacements.