Janet Finch-Saunders MS has raised serious concerns about the condition of NHS buildings across North Wales, following figures released from NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership. The ‘high’ risk backlog has risen 71% in four years, according to NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership. Figures show significant pressures within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area, with major repair needs affecting Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd, and Wrexham Maelor.
In particular, issues at Ysbyty Gwynedd highlight the scale of the challenge, with reportedly over £110 million in high-risk and significant maintenance required, alongside concerns around fire safety and health and safety.
These figures have prompted renewed criticism of Welsh Labour, who have been in charge of the NHS in Wales for over two decades. Critics have argued that the growing backlog reflects years of underinvestment and a failure to prioritise maintaining existing facilities, with concerns that new spending pledges may not address the urgent repairs already needed.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Senedd Member for Aberconwy said:
“These figures are deeply concerning and confirm what many patients and staff in North Wales already know, our hospitals are under serious strain. At sites like Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, ageing buildings and mounting repair backlogs are impacting both care and working conditions.
After 27 years of Welsh Labour, backed up by Plaid Cymru, running the NHS, we are now facing a situation where essential maintenance has been allowed to spiral.
We need urgent action and investment to bring our hospitals up to a safe and modern standard. The Welsh Conservatives are the only party who would take action and declare a health emergency and invest in extra capacity in our hospital network, including new community hospitals, diagnostic centres and surgical hubs to end corridor care and reduce excessive waiting times.”
