December 01, 2019 - 2414 views
The independent health services watchdog for North Wales – the North Wales Community Health Council (NWCHC) - is keen to hear from people who have been affected by some major changes made in March of this year to the provision of Vascular Services.
Their concerns are growing ever stronger and this week the council have called for an independent review.
Findings made during a 2013 consultation were recently actioned despite concrens that these may now be 'out of date' and out of line with what they claim is the mood of the local people.
Worries are focused on plans to centralise vascular services to a new unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan and close the unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd unit at Bangor. This was consulted on in 2013 but not actioned.
Critics are saying that actioning the proposals now so many years later is concerning.
The NWCHC will be hosting a series of events across all six counties of North Wales, inviting NHS staff, patients, their carers and their families to talk about Vascular Services.
The first events will be taking place in Gwynedd, with information about future events in other counties to be published in due course.
Mr Geoff Ryall-Harvey, Chief Officer for NWCHC said; "Since the changes have been made to some of the Vascular Services, we have been monitoring the patient experience of the service. Over recent months however, we have been aware of an increased level of concerns in respect of the impact of the service change."
"We have raised these concerns with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and are pleased to learn that the BCUHB intends to carry out a thorough review of the performance of the service and the impact of the changes made to the service to date."
Mr Ryall-Harvey went on to say; "We are holding these events in order to allow people to talk to us about specific issues concerning their experiences of Vascular Services across North Wales. The events will be structured around a number of aspects such as compliments, concerns and complaints, care planning, care provision and communication."
"We understand that in some instances, people might wish to share experiences in a confidential way and we will ensure that there is a safe space for such discussions to take place."
Should you wish to attend any of the events or for further information please contact the North Wales Community Health by e-mailing yourvoice@waleschc.org.uk
The first event will be taking place on 6th December 10am - 12noon at Quaker Meeting House, Dean Street, Bangor LL57 1UR.
Dates for the other events including those in Conwy and Denbighshire will be published on the Bayside website soon.
