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North Wales health revamp 'legal challenge' plan | North Wales health revamp 'legal challenge' plan |
(35 minutes later) | |
Campaigners against major changes to the health service in north Wales are considering a legal challenge. | |
A group fighting the shake up was formed at a meeting in St Asaph, Denbighshire, on Monday night. | |
It follows Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's decision to shut four community hospitals and transfer care for seriously ill babies to England. | It follows Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's decision to shut four community hospitals and transfer care for seriously ill babies to England. |
The board says changes are needed to meet cost cutting targets and provide effective health care in the future. | The board says changes are needed to meet cost cutting targets and provide effective health care in the future. |
It cites an ageing population, the need to retain and recruit medical expertise and financial strain. | It cites an ageing population, the need to retain and recruit medical expertise and financial strain. |
The campaigners say they are representing numerous local groups trying to save local hospitals and services across north Wales. | The campaigners say they are representing numerous local groups trying to save local hospitals and services across north Wales. |
They are seeking legal advice with a view to forcing a judicial review into the controversial reorganisation scheme. | |
Around 30 campaigners from Llandudno, Flint, Prestatyn, Llangollen and Blaenau Ffestiniog attended a meeting in St Asaph. | Around 30 campaigners from Llandudno, Flint, Prestatyn, Llangollen and Blaenau Ffestiniog attended a meeting in St Asaph. |
They agreed to unite and campaign as the North Wales Health Alliance, and another meeting is planned for Friday. | They agreed to unite and campaign as the North Wales Health Alliance, and another meeting is planned for Friday. |
"We have come together because there is strength in unity," said the alliance in a statement. | "We have come together because there is strength in unity," said the alliance in a statement. |
"We are considering a legal challenge to the entire process. | "We are considering a legal challenge to the entire process. |
"The advice we have received suggests Betsi Cadwaladr health board is vulnerable to a challenge." | "The advice we have received suggests Betsi Cadwaladr health board is vulnerable to a challenge." |
The campaigners claim the health board failed to consult adequately over community hospital closures and proposals to move care for seriously ill babies to Arrowe Park on Wirral. The board denies this. | |
Population changes | Population changes |
The board announced in January that community hospitals at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Flint, Llangollen and Prestatyn would close and services switched to 10 other locations. | |
Several protests have been held since and, while health bosses in north Wales acknowledge the changes are contentious, they say doing nothing is not an option. | |
They have said the population is changing and there is a trend to do as much as possible in the community while centralising specialist services. | They have said the population is changing and there is a trend to do as much as possible in the community while centralising specialist services. |
First Minister Carwyn Jones has said health services would "collapse" unless hospitals were reorganised and changes to the NHS in Wales were necessary. | First Minister Carwyn Jones has said health services would "collapse" unless hospitals were reorganised and changes to the NHS in Wales were necessary. |
Wales' seven health boards are finalising reorganisation plans, many of which have sparked protests by opponents. | Wales' seven health boards are finalising reorganisation plans, many of which have sparked protests by opponents. |