Under the proposals, urgent primary care centres at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley, Ysbyty Alltwen, and Ysbyty Gwynedd would be shut down, while units in Mold and Wrexham remain unaffected. First established in 2022, these facilities deploy general practitioners, physiotherapists, and advanced nurse practitioners to deliver same-day treatments. The consultation follows a final warning issued to the health board in June after spending nine years under special measures. Welsh ministers confirmed that regional service configurations ultimately rest with the board, provided it maintains transparent engagement with local communities.
Key points
Campaigners warn that closing the facilities will increase local waiting times and direct…: Campaigners warn that closing the facilities will increase local waiting times and direct patients toward already overburdened emergency departments.
The health board has cited financial pressures and persistent staff recruitment difficult…: The health board has cited financial pressures and persistent staff recruitment difficulties as the primary reasons for the consultation.
Welsh government officials affirmed that the ultimate decision regarding these local NHS…: Welsh government officials affirmed that the ultimate decision regarding these local NHS service configurations remains with the health board.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
Plans to close urgent primary care services at three hospitals would have "dire consequences", campaigners say.
Betsi Cadawaladr health board has confirmed it is consulting on a proposal to end urgent primary care centre, external (UPCC) services at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley in Holyhead, Ysbyty Alltwen in Tremadog and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
It said access to urgent care was a "priority" but the centres had faced financial pressures and ongoing recruitment difficulties.
If approved, they would be shut by 31 March 2027, but the move has sparked opposition, including claims it would cause additional pressure on GP practices and emergency departments - the services they were established to ease pressure on.
The UPCCs in Gwynedd county were set up in 2022 and are staffed by advanced nurse practitioners, GPs and physiotherapists, who treat patients with urgent health problems on the same day.
Llinos Medi, Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament (MP) for Ynys Môn, Helen Jenner, leader of Reform Wales and Member of Senedd (MS) for Bangor Conwy Môn, and Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders, who also represents Bangor Conwy…
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