Doctors do not support hospital closure plan

* Closure threatened Llan Cottage Hospital

Doctors in Llangollen have declared their “disappointment” and lack of support for the controversial plan to close the local Cottage Hospital.

A representative from the practice was unable to take up the invitation to attend last Thursday’s public meeting about the issue called by the campaign group Llangollen Protest at the Hand Hotel.

At the meeting, on which the platform was occupied by North Wales Assembly Members Llyr Huws Gruffydd  (Plaid Cymru) and Mark Isherwood (Welsh Conservative), 51 of the 70-plus local people present voted in favour of a referendum being held on the closure proposal put forward by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board last month.

Llangollen protest leader Martin Crumpton has now lodged an official request for the vote to be held.

He also requested a statement on the issue from the doctors.

This has now been sent to him in the name of Dr J R A Davies and partners and it says: “As a Practice, we are very disappointed that the Health Board has plans to close Llangollen Hospital.

“We do not support the closure, having fought for many years to keep the hospital open.

“Whilst being aware of the financial constraints, we would hope that all patient services can be maintained in Llangollen.”

Both AMs who were on the platform said they were against the closure plan.

However, Mr Crumpton said at the meeting Clwyd South Labour AM Ken Skates had not been invited because he was not amongst the opponents of the proposal.