Health board branded 'an absolute and utter disgrace'

FUNDS FOR GP CENTRE WERE RETURNED UNSPENT

- By RICHARD EVANS

FUNDS for a North Wales GP healthcare centre have been returned unspent to the Welsh Government.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been labelled “an absolute and utter disgrace” by a North Wales councillor.

Speaking at a Conwy County Council meeting this week, Cllr Cheryl Carlisle criticised the health board for “deferring” a health and wellbeing hub planned to serve West Conwy.

A report presented at a health board meeting last week revealed a new health care centre planned to serve the Conwy, Llandudno Junction, and wider area had been put on hold. According to the papers, similar community health hubs planned for Bangor, Caledryn, Holyhead, Penygroes, Rhyl, Waunfawr, and Porthmadog are all at various stages of development.

Rhyl’s Royal Alexandra Well-Being Hub, though, remains “not approved at this stage”. But Conwy's community hub centre - a “consolidation of services” offering “more sustainable” care in the community - is now on hold.