Siân Gwenllian MS Working for the people of Arfon

Siân Gwenllian MS has reacted to an announcement made by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board about the north Wales vascular unit:

“When the announcement was made that the world-leading vascular unit would be moved from Ysbyty Gwynedd to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd we warned that it would mean the downgrading of services for patients in north west Wales.

“We lost the expertise that was at Bangor, and our worst fears were realised. In the most serious of cases, it has devastated families in my constituency and led to loss of lives.

“And now the announcement on stopping the most serious emergency procedures at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd means there is currently no provision for that type of treatment in the whole of the north of Wales.

“Yet again services are moving further away from the people they’re supposed to help.

“Stoke Royal Hospital is more than 150 miles from Aberdaron. To locate life-saving services so far from these communities could lead to catastrophic consequences.

“On the other hand, risking the continuation of an unsafe service could also lead to loss of life.

“I urge the Health Board to rectify this situation urgently. This cancellation must not lead to the permanent downgrading of the vascular services available to people across the whole of the north of Wales.”