First Ministers Neonatal Decision ‘Inexcusable and Inexplicable’

First Minister Carwyn Jones has given the green light to transfer of neonatal intensive care services from North Wales to Arrowe Park on the Wirral.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, speaking on behalf of the North Wales Health Alliance, said “The First Minister has chosen the Easter holidays to try to bury some very bad news. It’s inexcusable and inexplicable.

“He is agreeing to moving neonatal intensive care to Arrowe Park in England while accepting that the service should stay in the North. He says he is going to get independent advice. Where on earth has he and his government been until now – this process has been ongoing for at least two years and his failing health ministers have had plenty of time to get advice.”

“Respected professional bodies representing doctors, nurses and midwives – the BMA, RCN and RCM – have given sound and robust clinical reasons why this decision is flawed and dangerous. He should listen to those voices. They and the massed campaign across North Wales have been ignored by a Cardiff Labour Government that doesn’t give a damn about a safe and sustainable service locally.”

“Once this service is gone to Arrowe Park, it’s gone for good. There’s no use pretending that Betsi Cadwaladr’s managers will work to bring the intensive care service back to Wales – they are responsible for initiating this process. This is just the start of closing neonatal intensive care units in North Wales. Nurses are going to be deskilled, doctors will not come to North Wales because the specialist units are not there and, more importantly, mothers and their new-born babies are going to be put at risk by the First Minister’s decision.”

“Worse still, the First Minister made reference at the weekend to personally needing an incubator as a new-born baby. He was fortunate to have such a service locally. It’s a disgrace that he is not allowing other vulnerable new-born babies the same opportunity.”