Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar AM and North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood AM are urging the people of Flint to vote in this week’s referendum to return NHS inpatient beds to Flint.
The people of Flint will make history on Thursday (October 2nd) as they take to the polls in what is said to be Wales’s first local referendum.
Voters will be asked the question: "Do you agree that NHS inpatient community beds should be reinstated in Flint?"
Both Darren and Mark have backed the Flint Hospital Campaign Group who are calling for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to bring back the beds lost when the
town’s hospital was controversially closed last year.
Mark, who joined the ‘yes’ campaign trail on Saturday, said:
"I was proud to join the Flint Hospital Campaign Group on the campaign trail for a ‘Yes’ Vote in the Referendum to return NHS inpatient beds to Flint. If you live in Flint, help to make history by voting ‘Yes’ between 4pm and 9pm on Thursday at your local Polling Station. No polling card is required.
"As I have stated at successive meetings at Flint Town Hall, we need a hospital with beds, not only meeting the needs of local people, but also reducing pressure and bedblocking in our general hospitals.
"Neither Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, nor the Welsh Labour Government are obliged to take any notice of the outcome of the referendum, but it would be very difficult for the health board to ignore any message from the referendum especially if there is a record turnout and overwhelming vote calling for the return of beds."
Darren added:
"Community hospital beds are an absolutely crucial part of our NHS and I therefore urge the people of Flint to let their voice be heard by going to their local polling station on Thursday and taking part in this referendum.
"District general hospitals in Wales are facing a beds crisis at present and extra capacity via community hospital beds may offer a solution to that.
"This referendum will give decision-makers at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board a clear indication of the views of residents and they would do well to pay attention to its outcome."
Polling stations will be open from 4-9pm, but, unlike full elections, voters will not receive a polling card and postal votes and proxy votes will not apply.
Voters are asked to use their nearest polling station on the day where they will be given instructions on how to vote.
Picture Caption: North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood with the Flint Hospital Campaign Group on the campaign trail for a ‘Yes’ Vote on Saturday.