'People afraid of going to NHS hospitals', claims retired medic

RETIRED hospital consultant heading a group of retired doctors and nurses has criticised Welsh Government ministers over a beds crisis.

- RICHARD EVANS

Jonathan Osborne FRCS, a former ear, nose, and throat surgeon at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, claimed the government is partly to blame for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board being stuck in special measures.

In recent weeks, Mr Osborne has repeatedly taken aim at the health board, criticising long A&E waiting-times and the treatment of NHS staff.

Last week, he suggested frontline NHS staff are working in a “virtual war zone” led by a board lacking sufficient “medical expertise”

As head of a Facebook-based campaign group, he believes the first step to tackling the problem is reinstating more community hospital beds.

But while Mr Osborne, pictured below, has been highly critical of Betsi Cadwaladr, he has also weighed in on the Welsh Government.