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Betsi Cadwaladr: Gwynedd NHS plans referred to minister | Betsi Cadwaladr: Gwynedd NHS plans referred to minister |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Aspects of an NHS shake-up in north Wales have been referred to the Welsh government. | Aspects of an NHS shake-up in north Wales have been referred to the Welsh government. |
Some people in Gwynedd could face a 60-mile round trip for x-rays and further for urgent mental health services, the local patients' watchdog says. | Some people in Gwynedd could face a 60-mile round trip for x-rays and further for urgent mental health services, the local patients' watchdog says. |
But the North Wales Community Health Council (CHC) confirmed it backs the principle of closing four community hospitals. | But the North Wales Community Health Council (CHC) confirmed it backs the principle of closing four community hospitals. |
Campaigners said the CHC has "blown huge holes" in the health proposals. | |
Local health boards (LHBs) are drawing up plans on how they think services should be delivered in the future. CHCs can refer them to the health minister to take a final decision. | Local health boards (LHBs) are drawing up plans on how they think services should be delivered in the future. CHCs can refer them to the health minister to take a final decision. |
'Serious reservations' | 'Serious reservations' |
The CHC for north Wales has written to Health Minister Lesley Griffiths to spell out concerns about some aspects of a shake-up proposed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. | The CHC for north Wales has written to Health Minister Lesley Griffiths to spell out concerns about some aspects of a shake-up proposed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. |
The plans being referred to her relate specifically to changes to minor injuries, x-ray and older people's mental health provision in Gwynedd alone. | The plans being referred to her relate specifically to changes to minor injuries, x-ray and older people's mental health provision in Gwynedd alone. |
However, the CHC says it has "serious reservations" about implementing the LHB's plans for Llangollen, Flint, Prestatyn and Blaenau Ffestiniog community hospitals. | However, the CHC says it has "serious reservations" about implementing the LHB's plans for Llangollen, Flint, Prestatyn and Blaenau Ffestiniog community hospitals. |
Although these specific plans have not been referred to the minister, the CHC has asked her to monitor them. | Although these specific plans have not been referred to the minister, the CHC has asked her to monitor them. |
The LHB's timetable means services will be lost before new ones are in place, the CHC says. | The LHB's timetable means services will be lost before new ones are in place, the CHC says. |
'National standards' | 'National standards' |
The CHC's letter to the minister also points to other areas of concern, including the proposal to move specialist neonatal intensive care for new babies to Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral. | The CHC's letter to the minister also points to other areas of concern, including the proposal to move specialist neonatal intensive care for new babies to Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral. |
It could mean other services are lost from north Wales, making it more difficult to recruit staff to the NHS, the CHC says. | It could mean other services are lost from north Wales, making it more difficult to recruit staff to the NHS, the CHC says. |
However, CHC chair Christine Evans said: "We think - as lay people - that the health board has no choice but to take the Arrowe Park option if we are to have a service which meets national standards." | However, CHC chair Christine Evans said: "We think - as lay people - that the health board has no choice but to take the Arrowe Park option if we are to have a service which meets national standards." |
She added: "Many people have urged us to make a formal objection to the plans for neonatal intensive care services. | She added: "Many people have urged us to make a formal objection to the plans for neonatal intensive care services. |
"We have put every point raised with us directly to senior medical and managerial staff at the health board. | "We have put every point raised with us directly to senior medical and managerial staff at the health board. |
'Health Alliance' | |
"And some of them - for example the effect of the plans on medical staff training and the loss of specialist services from north Wales - are included in our letter to the minister." | "And some of them - for example the effect of the plans on medical staff training and the loss of specialist services from north Wales - are included in our letter to the minister." |
The North Wales Health Alliance - set up after a public meeting in St Asaph last month - said it showed the CHC had "listened to our complaints and concerns". | |
The alliance does not agree with all the CHC's decisions, including its support for moving specialist intensive care for babies to England. | |
It asked for community hospitals which have closed to be re-opened immediately to "maintain important community care". | |
A number of other issues have also got to be looked at including the cost of replacement services, the alliance said. | |
"In spite of clear evidence to show that neonatal intensive care can be delivered to a standard in north Wales, the CHC has not referred this to the health minister". | |
"It is now clear there is a systemic failure to recruit and retain specialist staff in this service and there is no evidence that Arrowe Park can provide a better service without using the millions from the new contract from Betsi Cadwaladr." |
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