ANGER has been expressed over the dwindling medical facilities available to a town’s residents.
The hospital in Llangollen was set to close to outpatients yesterday.
The decision to end the service three weeks sooner than originally mooted has caused fury. The hospital will close altogether once a few remaining inpatients are discharged.
Among those speaking out about the situation are Llangollen’s two county councillors on Denbighshire Council, Rhys Hughes and Stuart Davies.
Cllr Hughes said: “This is a very sad day for the town. There are numerous people who in the past have made the hospital a beneficiary in their wills, contributing to the upkeep. That shows just what a special place it has in the heart of the community.
“This is very emotional for them. Many find it upsetting to go past the building and see the curtains closed
“The feeling in Llangollen right now is generally one of dismay. People feel they have been let down by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.”
Cllr Davies added: “This has been consultation in name only. The health board is closing the hospital before the new health centre is open, which is terrible.
“The board has been acting in a highly arrogant manner. The community is certainly not happy with the decision to shut the hospital before the new health centre is open.
“There are currently temporary facilities in the town’s existing health centre. We must ensure this does not become a permanent arrangement.
On the Leader’s Facebook page Terence Mercer said: “I used to work there as a porter. There will be a big hole in the community.
“During the Eisteddfod it had a minor injury ward there which was handy for any non-emergency incident.
“There will be a strain on Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Nobody at the health board has seen the problems.”
Last week a health board spokesman told the Leader: “From Monday all outpatient and dressings clinics, phlebotomy (blood sampling) and physiotherapy appointments that were previously based in the hospital will be held in Llangollen Health Centre, adjacent to the GP surgery.
“A minor injuries service will also be available at this location, initially running from 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday, the same hours as apply in the hospital at present.
“The health board and the GP surgery are working closely together to ensure these services continue to be available in the town, in line with the commitments given by the health board during the recent consultation, until the new primary care resource centre is available.”