CLWYD WEST MS Darren Millar has called for an update on the proposed development of a North Denbighshire Community Hospital.
In 2013, Welsh Government having announced that a new hospital would be built in Rhyl to serve people in North Denbighshire.
In July, Mr Millar called for an urgent statement from Health Minister Eluned Morgan on the delivery of the facility and was told that there was “no space in Government time before the end of term for the Minister for Health and Social Services to do a statement”.
Three months on and with the Welsh Government having still not outlined when, or if, the development will get underway, Mr Millar has called again for an update.
Speaking in yesterday’s Business Statement, he said: “Can I call for a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services, to provide an update to Members on the delivery of the North Denbighshire Community Hospital?
MORE: Welsh Government urged to take action to progress Rhyl community hospital development
“This has been a long-awaited project that was announced by the current First Minister back in 2013.
“He said that he hoped a brand-new hospital would be delivered by 2016 at that point, but we're going to be at least ten years on from the now First Minister's announcement before we even see a spade in the ground.
“Many people are concerned that this project is going to be quietly scrapped by the Welsh Government, and are concerned about the lack of commitment from the current Health Minister.
“They were promised these beds because of the closure of the community hospital beds in Prestatyn and Rhyl, and it has a direct impact on the services provided at Glan Clwyd Hospital, which has an emergency department that is under extreme pressure.
“This project is essential in order to relieve pressure on that hospital and make sure that it gets back up to scratch in terms of the way that it should be functioning for patients in north Wales.
Trefnydd Lesley Griffiths MS replied that there were “no plans” for a statement in relation to the capital programme for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, but that the Health Board were reviewing its programme “across North Wales”.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Millar said: “It is an absolute disgrace that patients have had to wait so long and may now even miss out completely on this much needed facility.
“To leave them hanging without any clear indication as to what will be happening is totally unacceptable.
“Health services in North Wales are in a shocking state, with Glan Clwyd Hospital at capacity. This new hospital could relieve so many pressures and provide the people in North East Conwy and Denbighshire with the health services they desperately need and deserve. We need answers and we need them now.”
MORE: Plans to build North Denbighshire Community Hospital in Rhyl passed by health board
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