Push to safeguard maternity service
A concerned politician will write to health bosses about a major shake-up of maternity and women's services which could affect people in Shropshire and Mid Wales.
Montgomeryshire AM Russell George said the possible downgrading and withdrawal of consultant-led maternity services at Wrexham's Maelor Hospital could have a major impact on parents-to-be in North Powys and Shropshire.
Mr George said he is now writing to Welsh Government health minister Mark Drakeford and Powys Teaching Health Board to urge then to speak out in favour of the hospital.
The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) in North Wales has revealed four potential temporary changes, including one which could see the consultant-led service at the Maelor dropped in favour of the units at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
The Wrexham service is used by many mothers-to-be on the Shropshire border, particularly around Oswestry and north Powys villages. If it was dropped it would mean a 28-mile journey to the Countess of Chester Hospital or a 33-mile trip to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
Mr George said: "Clearly, many residents in north Powys rely on maternity services from Wrexham Maelor so the possible downgrading and withdrawal of consultant-led maternity services at the hospital is an issue of serious concern.
"I have just written to both the Welsh Government health minister Mark Drakeford and Powys Teaching Health Board, to ask what representations they have made to Betsi Cadwalader Health Board to ensure that the quality of the maternity provision at Wrexham Maelor will not be compromised. I will also be meeting with Powys Teaching Health Board to discuss this in detail over the coming weeks."
Last month, Councillor David Lloyd, who sits on the Oswestry Health Group, said: "It would be a big blow not only for people in the Wrexham area but it would be felt quite deeply into Shropshire. There are a lot of patients from Gobowen, St Martins and Weston Rhyn who are registered with Chirk Surgery and this means their referrals take them to the Wrexham Maelor.
"Wrexham has been overall an important point of contact because of its location. But I have been told that if a consultant is needed in the maternity unit a consultant will be there."
A public consultation on the proposals is now under way into the plans and closes at the end of this month.
