Local AMs campaigning against plans to downgrade maternity services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd are calling on all those against the proposals to join them this Saturday for the protest march in Rhyl.
Last week members of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board voted to suspend maternity consultant care at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan for 18 months until staffing concerns are addressed. Mothers-to-be in the area will have to travel to Gwynedd or Wrexham if they get into difficulties during labour.
The proposals have caused outrage and immense concern across North Wales.
A protest to save doctor-led maternity services at the hospital will take place at Rhyl Events Arena on Saturday from 2pm.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar said:
“It is vital that as many people as possible turn out on Saturday to show the health board the strength of feeling about these proposals.
“Since they were announced I have been inundated with emails, letters and phone calls from constituents concerned about the number of lives that will be lost.
“Pregnant women are living in fear. Bringing a life into this world is supposed to be a joyous occasion, not one filled with dread.
“The Health Board needs to go back to the drawing board, have some meaningful engagement with stakeholders and come back with more sensible proposals that have widespread support."
Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones added:
“The strength of feeling regarding these proposals has been immense and the numbers planning on attending Saturday’s rally is already in the thousands and is growing everyday.
“I am urging all my constituents who are concerned about the changes to show their support by joining us at the protest. We need to show the health board that we will not take this lying down. These plans need to be scrapped. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health board should be addressing staffing issues not putting lives at risk.”