Statement on BCUHB reconfiguration plans

Published: 23 January 2013

Statement on behalf of the Royal College of Midwives Wales, the British Medical Association Wales and the Royal College of Nursing Wales ahead the announcement of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s reconfiguration plans

Ahead of the announcement of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s reconfiguration plans, this is a combined statement issued on behalf of the Royal College of Midwives Wales, the British Medical Association Wales and the Royal College of Nursing Wales.

Whilst we recognise that the proposed reconfiguration of services for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have been consulted upon, our three organisations remain concerned about the proposals for Neonatal Services to move from North Wales to England.

We have written to the Health Board because of the sustained concerns raised by our members. We wrote to the Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board on 8 January 2013 and had a teleconference with her. We have also issued each of the Health Board Members with a copy of our letter and a copy of the final technical document entitled, "Healthcare in North Wales is Changing: Supplementary Briefing Paper – Neonatal Intensive Care Services for North Wales" October 2012, which was taken from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s website. We believe this substantiates our concerns, and the fact that comprehensive neonatal services based in North Wales remains a viable and sustainable option.

TINA DONNELLY　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

DIRECTOR, RCN WALES　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

DR RICHARD LEWIS

WELSH SECRETARY, BMA WALES

HELEN ROGERS

DIRECTOR, RCM WALES