Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has announced it will delay any decision on a major shake-up in North Wales health services until the New Year.
The proposals contain plans, which have sparked a barrage of protest locally, to close Llangollen Cottage Hospital and replace it with a new health centre somewhere in the town.
Llyr Gruffydd, North Wales Plaid Cymru AM, said: “The decision by BCUHB’s management to delay the decision until the New Year on its centralisation and downgrading proposals is, I believe, a direct result at the tidal wave of opposition to these plans.
“Whether it’s the criticism of plans to close community hospitals and downgrade others or the discredited notion of moving neonatal intensive care to England, it’s clear that the sustained campaign by so many different groups has taken them by surprise and forced a rethink.
“I hope this is not just a pause. I hope they will read, as I have, the many considered and thoughtful positive alternatives being proposed and think again. We want an improved local health service in the North not one that forces people to travel unreasonable distances to access services and tries to impose a metropolitan model on what is a very diverse region.
“The battle to ensure the best possible care for people in the area isn’t over, but a small victory has been won today. I think everyone who has marched, attended a meeting, lobbied their Assembly member or written to express their views can be proud that they have forced the Betsi Cadwaladr management to pause to consider their next move.”
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