NEIL Hamilton, UKIP Wales Leader spoke in a National Assembly debate on Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The organisation was placed under special measures in June 2015, following a mental health services report alleging institutional abuse during 2012/13. The Welsh Government has now called for an independent financial review after finances were found to be out of control.
Neil Hamilton commented: “As far as Blaenau Ffestiniog is concerned, they haven’t got a national health service; they’ve got a notional health service. Their 24-hour service was closed several years ago and downgraded to a 10-hour health centre, and downgraded again since then.
Since 2013, therefore, we’ve seen the closure of a hospital, a loss of hospital beds, the closure of the x-ray service, the closure of the minor injuries unit, the closure of teledermatology clinics and therapy services, two rural branch surgeries have closed, and the GP practice in Blaenau Ffestiniog was supposed to have four full-time doctors, but it’s only got one salaried doctor and a variety of locums.
In the 14 months since I made that indictment to the First Minister, absolutely nothing has changed despite the special measures, and something has got to be done about it.”
