Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts has called for Betsi Cadwaladr health bosses to include Blaenau Ffestiniog in town visits aimed at regaining public trust.
Liz Saville Roberts MP said: “I welcome the announcement that senior Betsi Cadwaladr health officials are inviting the public to have their say about health services in Pwllheli, Dolgellau and Tywyn[i]. But there are critical and unresolved health issues in Blaenau Ffestiniog – the third largest community in Gwynedd.
“Voters in the town overwhelmingly supported calls for the return of hospital beds alongside upgraded services in February’s referendum. Since the election in May, people have contacted me to express concerns about the future of health care in the town.
“Given that Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board has recently been placed in special measures, which specify a requirement to regain public trust, I would expect officials to include Blaenau Ffestiniog in their visits as a matter of urgency.
“There are now 38% fewer beds in Dwyfor Meirionnydd hospitals than there were in 2010.
“The special measures call into question the quality of past management and governance. I would urge the new regime to reconsider previous decisions in relation to the provision of health services in rural areas with a scattered and aging population. It must be recognised that the loss of beds has an impact on the quality of health services.”
