Trevor Purt, the Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Matt Makin, its Medical Director, and Vice-Chair Margaret Hanson, have all confirmed their attendance at this week’s public meeting on proposals to scrap doctor-led maternity services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
The meeting which will take place at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday at 7pm has been organised by Shadow Health Minister and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar and Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones.
The Chief Officer of the North Wales Community Health Council, Geoff Ryall-Harvey has also confirmed attendance as have the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing.
Darren said:
“I am extremely pleased that the Chief Executive and Medical Director of the health board will be present at Thursday’s meeting. There is a great deal of public anger about their proposals and it is only right that they should face up to this and explain their position.
“The meeting will give the public a chance to have their say on the future of maternity services and I trust that the Board will listen carefully to their views.
"Taking away maternity services for some of the most complex pregnancies and forcing expectant parents to travel further is downright dangerous. We must all remain strong in our battle against these changes.”
Ann Jones AM said:
“We were already are expecting a huge turnout on Thursday, but I am sure now that the Chief Executive and Medical Director have confirmed attendance many more will want to come. This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of North Wales to let those making these decisions know how strongly we object to these changes.
“Families in North Wales should not have to pay the price for the failure of Health Board bosses to get to grips with staff shortages and recruitment and retention problems and I am sure the people who these changes will affect, especially the expectant mothers whose lives are being put at risk, will tell the bosses just that.”