The Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, Russell George, has raised concerns over the future of maternity services at Wrexham Maelor Hospital after Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board admitted ‘some responses’ to its maternity services consultation ‘may not have been delivered by the Royal Mail’.
In a statement issued from the Health Board, it admitted responses sent to the local BCUHB Freepost address ‘during the early weeks of the consultation’ are affected.
The Women’s and Maternity Services Consultation 2015 – which could see services downgraded at Wrexham Maelor hospital – ran from August 24th to October 5th.
Mr George said:
“This was an important consultation on the future of maternity services and it is unbelievable that someone’s lost weeks’ worth of responses.
“The possible downgrading and withdrawal of consultant-led care maternity services at Wrexham Maelor Hospital has concerned many people in Montgomeryshire and it is unacceptable for those who’ve taken the time to make their feelings known to have their responses ignored.
“Every effort should be made to inform the affected communities of this mistake and ensure these people are given the opportunity to have their say.”
After discussing the issue with Darren Millar, the Welsh Conservatives’ Health Spokesman, Mr George added:
“I firmly believe that full services can be maintained at all sites in north Wales and I very much hope that’s the result of this process.
“I will continue to press Powys Teaching Health Board and the Health Minister, Mark Drakeford, to make representations to Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board to ensure that the quality of the maternity provision at Wrexham Maelor will not be compromised.”