Hundreds Sign Petition Opposing The Downgrade of Maternity Services at Wrexham Maelor

A public event in Wrexham Town Centre today saw hundreds sign a petition opposing proposed temporary changes to maternity services across North Wales. 

Across the morning hundreds visited Queens Square to make their voices heard about proposals to downgrade maternity services at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital, with many using the opportunity to speak of their own positive experiences with Wrexham’s maternity services.

Today’s event came as a result of the launch of a six week consultation proposing temporary changes to maternity services across three North Wales hospitals – including a proposed reduction of consultant-led services at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

If the changes to maternity services at the Wrexham Maelor are found to be preferable, around 1,700 emergency and inpatient gynaecology patients would transfer from Wrexham Maelor Hospital. This would result in more than 1000 babies a year being transferred to the Countess of Chester.

The proposals to downgrade maternity services have been met with strong opposition with members of the public – with hundreds today turning out at Queens Square to sign a petition and send letters opposing the changes.

At this morning’s event were two candidates for the Welsh Assembly elections, including candidate for Plaid Cymru, Carrie Harper who set up the initial online petition on August 18th.

Speaking to Wrexham.com Mrs Harper said Plaid Cymru ‘fiercely oppose’ the downgrading of maternity services in any hospitals across North Wales.

Mrs Harper added: “We are here to oppose the attempts to downgrade services at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital. We would like to see Betsi Cadwaladr maintain maternity services across all three hospitals. It will put lives at risk.

“We’ve already had 1500 signatures online and we need to continue to raise awareness locally. We want a united front as we deserve a standard of care.”

A ‘Save Wrexham Maelor Hospital Maternity Services‘ Facebook page has also been launched Welsh Assembly Candidate for the Conservative Party, Andrew Atkinson. The Facebook page, which went live on Wednesday has already received over 6,000 likes.

Mr Atkinson said: “There is a huge strength of public feeling. People really care and want to keep maternity services at the Wrexham Maelor. I’ve spoken to mums to be who have real concerns. We need Betsi Cadwaladr to sit up and take notice of what local people are saying. We will continue to fight this – we want maximum effect.”

In the next few weeks two public meetings regarding the consultation are to take place. The first will take place at the Catrin Finch centre at Glyndwr University (Crispin Lane entrance) at 7pm on Friday, September 4th. Among the speakers will be Ruth Drake from the Cherish charity and a long-time campaigner for better baby care services locally, as well as Dr Eamonn Jessup, of the British Medical Association.

The second will take place at Wrexham Memorial Hall on Friday 11th September.

More information on the consultation can be found at www.wales.nhs.uk/nwmaternity . Alternatively you can phone 0800 169 3142or email [email protected].