The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has spoken of the need to “maintain and restore” the services offered at Llandudno General Hospital, announcing that she has submitted a request for a meeting of the Llandudno Hospital Action Group (LHAG) to discuss the need for a positive forward course.
Among the facilities at Llandudno General Hospital are a Bone Density Unit, an Osteoporosis Unit and Rheumatology Unit. The Minor Injury Unit can also assist with sprains; cuts and grazes; scalds; something in an individual’s eye; insect bites and stings; and minor head injuries. However, the Unit is only open from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, daily.
In November, Janet spoke of her alarm at revelation that no patients have been seen at the site’s Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) in 2021. The confirmation, which came via a Freedom of Information reply, prompted calls to reopen the centre as a means of addressing waiting lists.
Mrs Finch-Saunders, who has launched an online questionnaire to review the health concerns of residents, is set to formally raise her concerns about the direction of travel for the local Hospital in her submission to the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee consultation on hospital discharge and patient flows.
Commenting on her work, Janet said:
“I have long believed that Llandudno Hospital is being underutilised. I am aware that many constituents who would automatically, and rather sadly, feel they had little choice by to choose to drive to Glan Clwyd or Gwynedd because the emergency department has been downgraded in Llandudno.
“The list of responsibilities for the Minor Injury Unit at Llandudno should be reviewed to determine whether it can offer greater assistance and around the clock care. Likewise, with entrenched concerns about prolonged waiting times for patients to receive diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the Ambulatory Care Unit must reopen to patients at the earliest possible opportunity.
“The direction of travel for this Hospital warrants urgent intervention. Indeed, I was most concerned to have been informed by the Health Board’s Chief Executive that, since the suspension of the ACU, the three medical staff running the service have left, with two relocating to new roles in England and another returning to primary care.
“This is why I have requested a meeting of the Llandudno Hospital Action Group, so that a positive plan of action can be considered. With a central location along the North Wales coast, maintaining and restoring the services offered by Llandudno Hospital can help to relieve the strain on other sites in the region, ensuring that patients receive more timely care.”
Following a meeting with the Chief Executive and Chairman of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board this week, in which concerns about the impact of capital funding on estate improvements were reiterated, Janet has also submitted the following Written Question to the Welsh Government’s Minister for Health and Social Services:
"Will the Minister confirm what steps the Welsh Government have undertaken to review the long-term capital funding needs of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board with regards to estate upgrades?"
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS
