Commenting on the news that ambulance staff are being forced to book taxis to take patients to hospital, Welsh Conservative Shadow North Wales Minister Darren Millar, said:

“North Wales has seen community hospitals close and beds axed across the region so it's no wonder that ambulances are stacked outside hospitals and unable to respond to those who need them. 

"The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board must act swiftly to commission more beds so that ambulances can be free to get to patients in emergencies. 

"When patients are in life and death situations every minute counts. People in North Wales need the confidence that they can get access to an ambulance in a timely manner when they dial 999."

Also commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister, Russell George MS said:

“There is a deep-rooted crisis in the Welsh NHS as a result of 25 years of Labour’s disastrous mismanagement of our health service.

“Let’s not forget that Labour has cut the health budget in real terms this year, placing us in a uniquely disadvantaged position compared with the other nations of the UK.

“This is completely unacceptable and needs to be turned around fast, people cannot be relying on taxis as a replacement to ambulances. Labour need to park their pet projects and properly fund our Welsh NHS.”