An action group has been established in Ruthin to campaign for the protection of services at Ruthin Community Hospital.
The Ruthin Hospital Action Group’s formation comes just weeks after a packed public meeting to discuss the future of the town’s hospital, which could see its Minor Injuries Unit and X-ray services axed under controversial NHS reconfiguration plans published by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board last month.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar met with the Action Group last night to pledge his support for their campaign and has written to Welsh Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths AM, on behalf of the Action Group to request that she meet with them to discuss the future of community hospital services in south Denbighshire.
Speaking after the meeting, Darren said:
"I am delighted that the public meeting I held a fortnight ago has encouraged people to take a stand for their local hospital and I fully endorse the Ruthin Hospital Action Group’s campaign.
"With just weeks to go before the consultation on the health board’s proposals end, it is important that as many people as possible take the opportunity to let health chiefs know how much they value their local hospital and the services it provides - the Action Group will help to ensure that people engage in this important process."
Chair of the Ruthin Hospital Action Group, Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts added:
"Ruthin Community Hospital serves a large rural community which deserves to have access to local NHS services. The Ruthin Hospital Action Group will oppose any plans to downgrade our hospital services and seeks support from the health board for additional services to be provided in the town.
"We are very concerned that if the Minor Injuries Unit and X-ray services close, we could face death by a thousand cuts and lose other services in the future.
"The Action Group is grateful for Darren’s support and we very much hope that we will have the opportunity to put our concerns directly to the Health Minister sometime soon."
Notes:
Photo shows Darren Millar AM with Chair of the Ruthin Hospital Action Group, Cllr Huw-Hilditch-Roberts.