AN ABSENCE of a minor injury unit in Rhyl is causing more people to attend Ysbyty Glan Clwyd’s emergency department (ED), according to a new health board report.

An agenda bundle prepared ahead of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s annual general meeting this week includes figures concerning ED arrivals by ambulance at Wrexham Maelor, Glan Clwyd, and Ysbyty Gwynedd hospitals in June.

During that month, 24 per cent arrived at Glan Clwyd’s ED by ambulance, 19 per cent at Ysbyty Gwynedd, and 16 per cent at Wrexham Maelor.

In addition, the report states that almost half of all “minor presentations” at Glan Clwyd’s ED in last year have been from Rhyl postcodes.

Minor injury units in North Wales are found in Holyhead, Dolgellau, Pwllheli, Tremadog, Tywyn, Llandudno, Holywell and Mold.

Extracts from the report read: “Part of this difference can be explained by the proximity of Wrexham Maelor and Ysbyty Gwynedd to residential areas and public transport routes which make self-presentation easier, but also due to the lack of minor injury unit in nearby Rhyl for Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.  

“This final point is particularly relevant with higher areas of deprivation such as Rhyl having higher ED attendances.

“This can be further illustrated by between 41 and 49 per cent of all minor presentations at Glan Clwyd’s ED over the last 12 months were from Rhyl postcodes.

“For comparison, at Ysbyty Gwynedd, this ranged from 18 to 27 per cent of all minor presentations from Bangor postcodes.”

The data also shows that there were 178,329 ED attendances across North Wales during the 12 months up to June. 

The average run rate is at 167 per day in Wrexham Maelor, 171 per day in Glan Clwyd, and 149 per day in Ysbyty Gwynedd.

The report added that demand arriving at the EDs’ “front door” has grown by circa three per cent in the last 12 months.

The top three incidents leading to ambulance conveyances into EDs were the same across all three hospitals, meanwhile - breathing problems, falls/frailty, and chest pain.

The report also states that, during the 2023-24 financial year, 353 cases have been opened against the health board, an increase on those opened compared to previous year’s figure of 281.

This year’s total comprises 307 claims of clinical negligence, and 46 of personal injury.

Betsi Cadwaladr had 945 clinical negligence and personal injury claims open at the end of the financial year.

Its report added: “The health board is expecting to see claims continue to rise as result of the COVID-19 pandemic, although the full extent of this is not yet known.

“Such claims will likely relate not only to the direct effects of COVID-19, but also the indirect effects.

“It is thought that the majority of claimants may be waiting for the COVID-19 public inquiry to conclude.

“Openness, transparency, improving patient safety and learning lessons remain key for the health board.”