Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has called for an urgent ministerial statement in the Senedd on neonatal care in North Wales.
The request comes just weeks after the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board unveiled proposals to axe long-term neonatal intensive care services from Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and Wrexham Maelor Hospitals, and relocate them to Arrowe Park hospital on the Wirral.
Earlier this month a damning Assembly Committee report exposed on the critical shortage of specialised neonatal staff, which experts believe could put babies lives at risk.
Darren has backed a campaign by the charity Cuddles for complex intensive care for babies to remain in North Wales. He said:
"The Welsh Government needs to get a grip on care for sick and small babies in North Wales.
"There is a great deal of concern over the health board’s plans to re-locate services for the smallest and sickest babies to the Wirral. Such long distances to access this sort of care present significant transport challenges.
"It is also unacceptable that some parents will not have an opportunity to express a choice in terms of which country their babies are to be born in – this throws up all sorts of concerns regarding nationality."
He added:
"It is important that when a sick or small baby needs intensive care services that they are available as close to home as possible.
"The Minister must make herself available in the Senedd to answer questions on these issues."
Notes:
1. Photo shows Darren Millar AM with members of Cuddles (left-right): Vicki Roberts, Nikki Hewitt, Darren Millar AM, John Hewitt, Allan Mitcheley, Sandra Jones, James Smith and David Schofield (front).
2. For more information on Cuddles and the campaign for neonatal intensive care, please visit their website at: http://www.cuddles.org.uk/