Flint Community Hospital faces closure under plans being discussed by the health board
Campaigners trying to save a north Wales community hospital from closure are to march to a health board consultation meeting later on Tuesday.
Flint Community Hospital could be closed under plans by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to reorganise its services in north Wales.
Protesters will march at 17:00 BST from the hospital to take part in the public meeting at the town hall.
In a statement BCUHB said retaining the status quo was "not an option."
The health board, which predicts a financial shortfall of £64.6m this year, revealed details of its proposed shake-up in July.
Under plans being considered Blaenau Ffestiniog community hospital could also close and minor injury accident departments may shut at other locations.
Neo-natal intensive care may also be transferred over the border to England as part of the proposed shake-up.
Shortly after the plans were made public GPs in the area revealed their concerns about the effects of proposed cuts on community services.
On 10 September a Save Flint Community Hospital campaign group met at Flint Town Hall to discuss their reaction to the proposed move.
Jack Reece, chairman of the campaign group, described BCUHB's plans as a new version of old proposals by the Flintshire Health Board which had already been rejected by the Welsh government.
Mr Reece said: "BCUHB have taken an arrogant stance during the whole procedure, riding on the back of the town's five-year regeneration plan.
'Control costs'"This town has had enough and we are all coming out to voice our opinion on Tuesday, standing together as one voice."
The campaign team said it had called on the people of Flint to show the health board that they meant business, and that it should look to management costs for savings as opposed to frontline services.
The hospital has 14 inpatient beds, with facilities including rehabilitation and care for the elderly and terminally ill, as well as outpatients, physiotherapy and a minor injuries unit.
Explaining the reasons behind its proposed shake-up, BCUHB said it was clear that it could not afford to stand still.
"The status quo is not an option," the board said.
"The proposals we are now making are intended to change the way in which services are provided and where they are provided to ensure patient safety and meet quality standards.
"The proposals will allow us to attract and retain the professional clinical staff we need and control our costs when public finances are decreasing."
BCUHB said its consultation exercise would run until 28 October, and it would also take account of the views of the community health council and any views they have heard from the public before making decisions.
Any changes would start in early 2013, it said.
Read More... [Source: BBC News - Health - Posted by FreeAutoBlogger]
No comments:
Post a Comment