Health centre seems safe despite board's problems

* An artist's impression of the planned Llangollen health centre.

Last week’s damning report on the way the region’s health board was being run and shock resignation of its two top figures does not seem to have affected plans for a £5.5 million health centre in Llangollen.

That is the message from a press spokesperson for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB).

A joint report by the Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, identified significant failings and major challenges for the board.

As a result, chairman Professor Merfyn Jones and chief executive Mary Burrows both announced their resignation.

In the wake of these developments, a number of people in Llangollen began to question whether the town’s new health centre, costing an estimated £.5.5 million will now go ahead.

Only a few weeks ago board officials took over the Town Hall to present an exhibition of plans for the centre, which is to be built on the site of the derelict former River Lodge in Mill Street to replace Llangollen Cottage Hospital which was closed by the board earlier this year.

But a spokesperson for the board has now told llanblogger: “As far as we are aware, there is no change to the plan.”

Last week, the group Keep Llangollen Health Services said in a statement that the joint report on BCUHB raised “serious questions” about the legitimacy of the downgrading process which led to the axing of Llangollen Hospital.

The statement added: "If the Health Minister wants to avoid a potential catastrophe he must, as a matter of urgency, step in and suspend the current downgrading and centralisation programme. 

"These plans were nodded through without any challenge by the board members in January. Their failure to scrutinise was glaring even to lay members like us.”