Time running out to save hospital, say campaigners

* There's now less than three weeks left to save Llan Hospital, say campaigners, 

A group of local campaigners fighting to save Llangollen Hospital from closure  claim there is now less than three weeks left to save it.

They are inviting people to attend a public meeting, at 7pm in the Hand Hotel in Llangollen on Monday, October 15, to join in the campaign and write letters opposing the plans to the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Llangollen resident Maria Haines, who will chair the public meeting on behalf of newly-formed campaign group Keep Llangollen Health Services, said: “People still don’t realise that if these proposals were acted upon Llangollen will not have a hospital nor the proposed health centre for many years.

“We will not have a nurse-led minor injury unit and will not have any hospital beds in Llangollen. We are not precious about our buildings but we are precious about our health services.

“The consultation closes on October 28 so we need to ensure that as many people voice their opposition to these plans now, otherwise it will be too late.

“That’s why we’ve organised a public meeting for people to be able to listen to the arguments against getting rid of these vital services in Llangollen and to write their letters to the health board.”

Local County Councillor Rhys Hughes (pictured right) said: “The proposal to close Llangollen Hospital and downgrade health services in the town and the area will not save the health board any money.

“On the contrary, I’m concerned that it will cost the taxpayer more money as the burden of care will fall on the local authority putting a strain on our social services.

“It also refers to using more care homes, which will inevitably mean more costs either on the patients or on the local authority – either way it seems to be creeping privatisation.

“I would much rather see an investment in Llangollen. By all means build a new health centre, but it should also include a nurse-led minor injuries unit and some beds to care for patients discharged from Wrexham Maelor on their road to recovery.”

People opposing the proposed closure are also invited to sign the petition which has amassed nearly a thousand signatures so far after being placed in shops around Llangollen: bit.ly/UysoJx

The campaign group have set up a website www.llangollenhospitalcampaign.wordpress.com and an e-mail address keepllanhealthservices@gmail.com