Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has once again pressed the First Minister to outline when the people of North Denbighshire can expect to see the promised community hospital in Rhyl delivered.
The Welsh Government announced back in 2013 that a new hospital would be built in Rhyl to serve North Denbighshire, but in the Senedd chamber this week Darren expressed concern that 10 years on there has been no progress.
Questioning the First Minister on the NHS estate in North Wales on Tuesday he said:
“It'll come as no surprise to you that I'm going to ask again: where is the investment for the North Denbighshire Community Hospital?
“We know that, down the road from the proposed location of the North Denbighshire Community Hospital in Rhyl, we have a hospital in Bodelwyddan that is really struggling. In fact, it has the worst A&E performance against the eight-hour target and the worst A&E performance against the 12-hour target in Wales, and that is unacceptable. We have one in five people waiting over 12 hours in A&E to be discharged. Now, clearly, there needs to be some action.
“One of the solutions that has previously been supported by the Welsh Government has been the establishment of a new North Denbighshire Community Hospital, with a Minor Injuries Unit, to take pressure off Glan Clwyd, but we're yet to see a spade in the ground, and it's been 10 years since the hospital was promised.
“When can the people of my constituency, and people elsewhere in North Wales, who could be served by this hospital, see that work under way?”
In his response the First Minister acknowledged that Darren has raised the issue “persistently and powerfully on the floor of the Senedd”, but said progress is being hindered as “a strategic outline case that came in at £22 million is now a full business case reported at £72 million”.
He added; “That is such a material change in the proposal that the discussion between the Welsh Government and the board has to continue. The Health Minister met the board and said in terms to them that they, with their partners, have to prioritise the many schemes that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has in the making. And, when we receive that sense of prioritisation, which is yet to be delivered to the Welsh Government, then we will be able to make decisions in relation to the North Denbighshire Community Hospital. In the meantime.”
Speaking afterwards, Darren said:
“The truth of the matter is, if the Welsh Government had got on with the job it promised to the people of North Denbighshire 10 years ago, we would not be in the position we are now.
“People are desperate for this new facility and are sick and tired of the excuses. Health Services in North Wales are under immense pressure and this hospital is long overdue.
“The Welsh Government need to stop the constant buck passing and deliver what they vowed to do back in 2013.”
Watch Darren’s contribution in the Welsh Parliament below:
