Shadow Health Minister and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar praised the services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd maternity unit at Saturday’s protest rally and called for plans to downgrade them to be scrapped.
Around 2,000 campaigners from across North Wales and beyond joined Darren and other AMs and braved the cold to show their anger at the loss of doctor-led care from the Bodelwyddan hospital.
Having challenged the Health Minister over this in the Assembly Chamber two weeks ago and having received a torrent of emails from concerned constituents, Darren said:
"It was fantastic to see thousands of people turning out in Rhyl on what was a pretty cold and miserable day to show just how much they care about maternity services at Glan Clwyd Hospital.
"The services there have been fantastic, they delivered my kids and we must make sure they are protected from closure in the future.
"It was great to see as well people from all political parties standing shoulder to shoulder to see this decision overturned. The health board didn’t consult with any of us, it didn’t consult with the Community Health Council, it didn’t even have the courtesy of speaking to the staff before the day that it made this decision.
"What we have to do is have this decision overturned so we can give the kids of North Wales the very best start in life they can possibly have and that’s in a consultant led unit."
Picture Caption 1: Shadow Health Minister and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar with Chris Ruane MP and Ann Jones AM putting political differences aside at Saturday’s protest to support the campaign to retain doctor-led maternity services at Glan Clwyd Hospital.
Picture caption 2: Shadow Health Minister and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar with Marsha Davis of Little Miracles UK, who organised Saturday’s protest.