Town could "lose out badly" in health shake-up

* Mike Edwards - warning.

Llangollen stands to “lose out badly” from a shake-up of regional health services. 

That is the warning from Mike Edwards, chair of the Keep Llangollen Special group, in a letter sent to Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates on Monday. 

 

Mr Edwards says in the letter: “The fear that we have is that since the proposal is to close the existing Community Hospital shortly, that in two years time or subsequently (allowing for delays) the HB (Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board) will turn round and say there is no longer a need for a new HC (health centre) and that Llangollen residents can continue travelling to Wrexham or Chirk.

 

“Also, their financial situation could deteriorate further in those two years and they would then say they have no funds to build a new HC.  

“Llangollen is in danger of losing out badly here in this exercise and we would appreciate it if you could press for assurances that this does not happen.  

“There is very strong public feeling about this since most families are touched by it and it is not only patients who are forced to travel, but also their family and friends support network.

“Surely this is contrary to WG (Welsh Government) sustainability policies, because it will increase vehicle journeys either to the new out-of-town HC or further afield to Wrexham, Merseyside or Manchester for specialist treatments? 

“There also seems no guarantee that capital receipts from the sale of the existing Community Hospital and Oakleigh will be re-invested in Llangollen or Denbighshire.

“I believe you also hold the view that these sites should be put to the best use to benefit the local community not sold to a speculative developer whose motive would be to generate commercial profit.” 

Mike Edwards

Chair

Keep Llangollen Special