Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, has welcomed the fact that Assembly Members have this evening voted in favour of a motion to end plans to downgrade neonatal care services in North Wales, but is disappointed that some Labour AMs didn’t vote.
Leading this evening’s Welsh Conservative Debate, Mr Millar, AM for Clwyd West, noted the concerns expressed across Wales regarding local health board proposals for the future of neonatal care, which included removing level three neonatal care from North Wales entirely, forcing patients to travel to Arrowe Park hospital on the Wirral.
Mr Millar said: "This result sends an incredibly important message to health boards. It is now absolutely critical that they consider the passing of today’s motion within their consultations.
"Having a newborn in intensive care is harrowing enough. Being forced to travel much further to see them is unacceptable. Today’s result shows these views are shared by the Assembly."
Speaking in the debate, Mr Millar said: "I’ve nothing against North Wales patients being treated at hospitals in the North West of England – in fact, I have argued strongly to maintain existing links with hospitals such as the Walton Centre and Alder Hey hospitals in the past. But when it comes to transferring care to a hospital which has worse neonatal staffing ratios than existing hospitals in North Wales, and doesn’t itself meet national neonatal standards, I’m afraid that’s where I draw a line.
"It’s no wonder that there has been an outcry in North Wales. Thousands have signed a petition raised by CUDDLES, a charity which supports baby care services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd..
"The charity has also undertaken research into travel times to Arrowe Park, which indicates that if car-less parents from Anglesey wanted to visit their baby on the Wirral via public transport, the round trip could take around 8 hours and cost almost £40! Whilst, there is family accommodation on site in Arrowe Park this is simply not an option for parents that have other children to support and a living to earn.
"There is also the issue of national identity. In some cases mothers would be transferred to Arrowe Park to have their babies, denying them the choice to have their baby in Wales – that’s unacceptable."
Mr Millar added: "Over 7,000 babies are born in North Wales each year and the birth rate is rising. That’s a similar number to other areas in the North West of England which are retaining long-term neonatal intensive care at their hospitals, such as Burnley and Blackburn.
"If Blackburn and Burnley are able to retain their services, then the people of North Wales ought to be able to retain theirs."