19.07.12
Welsh services shake-up could see two hospitals close
Two community hospitals could close in North Walesunder a major service shake-up, as proposals to reconfigure services are due to be discussed today. The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) is the first to outline plans to balance its budget.
The board has predicted a gap of £64.6m if services remain as they are.
Blaenau Ffestiniog andFlintcommunity hospitals have been earmarked for possible closure, and would be refurbished to provide enhanced community services, with bed care transferred to neighbouring hospitals.
Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire could lose non-elective surgery and a number of minor injury units could close atFlint, Mold,ColwynBayand Ruthin. The report also proposes to replace services atLlangollenCommunityHospital.
But maternity and paediatric services are likely to remain largely unchanged as the plans to relocate services proved controversial. The changes would strengthen provision at ten hospital hubs across the region, BCUHB believes.
Six of the local health boards acrossWalesare predicting a combined deficit of around £230m this financial year, a recent analysis suggests.
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