Doctors in North Wales have passed a vote of no confidence in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which last month announced the universally condemned plan to strip Glan Clwyd Hospital of consultant-led maternity services.
At a meeting doctors hit out at:
· The failure of health bosses to consult the clinicians responsible for delivering maternity services prior to the decision being made
· Health board bosses side stepping proper consultation processes
· ‘Undue haste and secrecy’ by the health board
Earlier this month a petition signed by 15,000 people opposed to the loss of consultant-led maternity services was presented at the Assembly.
Darren Millar AM, Shadow Minister for Health, said, “This is a crystal clear statement from clinicians in primary and secondary care, that they have no confidence in health bosses who’ve taken the decision to downgrade maternity services at Glan Clwyd.
“These are serious concerns about the leadership and governance arrangements in North Wales’ health board, with bosses taking decisions without any opportunity for input from patients or even those who deliver specialist maternity services.
“Downgrading maternity services at Glan Clwyd Hospital is a dangerous decision taken by a Board which is out of touch with its patients and which has denied proper opportunity for consideration of safer alternatives.”