Two health boards reject Welshpool base closure
At internal meetings yesterday broadcasted online, both health boards rejected the proposals for a new base in North East Wales, citing that more evidence was needed to prove that the move would be worthwhile, and not just a money-saving exercise.
Four recommendations have been tabled following three rounds of exhaustive public engagements, including replacing our air ambulance helicopter in Welshpool with a rapid response vehicle (RRV).
But a massive public response has lambasted the plans, and, while yesterday’s verdicts by Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) and Betsi Cadwallader University Health Board (BCUHB) were largely expected, we now have to wait to see how the other five health boards in south Wales respond.
It will then go to a final vote on April 23.
One of the lead campaigners, Cynthia Deuce, called it “a good result” and added that “we all know that an RRV won’t work in rural Mid Wales, (so) we need to keep our red bird flying from Welshpool Airport.”
While it was a no brainer that PTHB would not support the closure, BCUHB’s decision shows that they would prefer to have a base in north west Wales at Caernarfon, and not switch to the east of their area.
Welshpool county councillor, Graham Breeze, also welcomed the verdicts and said: “The fight goes on!”
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