Campaigners demand probe into new health centre plan

A CAMPAIGN group has written to members of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) asking for an inquiry into the way the plans for the proposed £5.5 million new Llangollen health centre have been progressed.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, spokesperson for Keep Llangollen Health Services (KLHS), says in a letter which he has sent to board members: “We are concerned that the people of Llangollen and the Dee Valley have been misled on several occasions and were not involved in any meaningful consultation during the development phase of the proposed health centre.”

KLHS is questioning:  

·        Why BCUHB did not include Llangollen and Dee Valley service users in its stakeholder meetings as it claims they would be “crucial” to any proposed health centre development.

·        Why BCUHB “misled” the main campaign group about their involvement in any meetings.

·         Why BCUHB did not carry out research beforehand to ensure that the service promised in the proposal document could be provided after the closure of Llangollen Cottage Hospital.

The way the whole issue has been handled gives its members “no confidence” in the board’s proposals for the town, says KLHS.

And the group's letter tells board members: “We urge you to conduct an inquiry into these failings before continuing with your proposals.”

KLHS’s call for an inquiry follows last week’s damning joint report by the Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, which identified significant failings in the way BCUHB  is being run.

This has led to the resignation of board chief executive Mary Burrows, chairman Professor Merfyn Jones and vice-chairman Dr Lindon Miles.

Mabon ap Gwynfor has revealed that KLHS is also seeking an urgent meeting with Sarah Rochira, the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, to discuss our concerns about services in Llangollen.