Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar has called for assurances over the future of accident and emergency services at Glan Clwyd Hospital.
The calls came following the publication of a Welsh Government report which revealed plans to reduce the number of hospitals providing 24/7 consultant-led accident and emergency services in Wales.
The Welsh NHS is currently facing record-breaking cuts and attendances at A&E departments across North Wales have been rising.
The Clwyd West AM challenged the First Minister over the future of services at Glan Clwyd Hospital during an exchange in the Senedd this week. No assurances were provided.
Speaking after the exchange, Darren said:
'The Welsh Labour Government's plans to downgrade emergency care at some hospitals are alarming and I'm very concerned that the First Minister failed to provide me with any assurances about A&E services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
'The NHS should provide local services for local people and no-one should be forced to travel further for life-saving emergency care.
'Glan Clwyd has one of the busiest A&E departments in North Wales, providing care to tens of thousands each year. It would be devastating if services there were to be downgraded.'
Notes:
National Assembly for Wales, Record of Proceedings - 8th May 2012
Questions to the First Minister
Darren Millar:
One of the priorities of people in north Wales is to ensure that there is timely access to emergency services. You will be aware that total attendances at all three accident and emergency departments across north Wales have consistently risen in each of the last three years.
The Cabinet paper 'Together for Health—Why Change is Needed’ says that 'the number of sites providing 24/7 consultant-led accident and emergency services will need to be reduced’. What assurances can you give people in my constituency that A&E services at Ysybty Glan Clwyd will still be 24/7 consultant-led services in the future?
The First Minister:
There is certainly no intention on the part of the Government to see a reduction in A&E access for people around Wales. It is right to say that obtaining A&E consultants is difficult not just in Wales, but across the whole of the UK.
We remain committed to ensuring that A&E services are, first, available within a reasonable distance and, secondly, excellent in terms of their service provision to all the people of Wales.