North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has called on the Welsh Government to intervene to address the lack of progress by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in developing much needed health care facilities in North Wales.
Questioning the Cabinet Secretary for Health in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood said patients and GPs in Waunfawr, Gwynedd, and Hanmer, Wrexham, are frustrated by the long delays, which he stressed are adding to the Primary Care shortage and impacting on the region’s A&E departments.
He said:
“Justified frustration and anger have been expressed over the lack of progress by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in developing a new purpose-built surgery with improved access, parking and community space in Waunfawr, Gwynedd, to replace the current cramped and unsuitable premises.
“This is a region-wide issue, replicated, for example, in Hanmer surgery, south Wrexham, who continue to fight a similar battle more than 11 years after the existing building was declared unfit for purpose.
“The delays, excuses and errors behind this only add to the Primary Care shortage in North Wales and the impact this has on the region's A&E departments. Meanwhile, cuts to Community Hospital beds have worsened delays, the Health Board received more preventable death reports from the Coroner than any other organisation in Wales, and it has a higher number of delayed discharges than any other Health Board in Wales.
“A group of retired medics and nurses are campaigning to try and reverse the current unnecessary situation, with deliverable proposals including bringing back community beds. When, if ever, will you intervene, and speak and work with these retired medics, and the GPs in Waunfawr and Hanmer, to understand and implement the solutions needed?
Responding, the Cabinet Secretary for Health said:
“The solution needed is to provide integrated services at a community level in a way in which the health board would want to see, and that we certainly want to see as a Welsh Government. As I mentioned earlier, 38 projects have been approved for funding for capital. Fifteen of those 38 projects are in the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board area, which suggests to me a significant level of investment in exactly the kind of facilities that the Member says he wishes to see more.”
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Isherwood said:
“These two Practices and their patients have waited long enough and deserve a resolution. I therefore urge the Welsh Government to work constructively with GPs, Clinicians and communities to turn long-delayed plans into reality.”
