Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar is calling on Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to reassure patients in North Wales that extra beds will be made available to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
With provisions already being made in England and South Wales to manage the increased demand for hospital beds as coronavirus cases rise throughout the UK, Darren is urging Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board to ensure that North Wales is also well equipped.
He contacted Chairman of the Health Board, Mark Polin, last week to ask what is being done in North Wales and was told that action is being taken to establish a temporary hospital for Covid-19 patients. But Darren said people are worried and need reassurances now.
He said: “I've been contacted by many people over the weekend seeking reassurances that there will be extra beds for North Wales patients.
“Last Friday I contacted Betsi Cadwaladr’s Chairman, Mark Polin, and he has indicated that the Health Board is taking action to establish a temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients in North Wales and that an announcement on this will be made soon.
"But people are worried now and I therefore urge the Health Board to reveal details as soon as possible to reassure people and put their minds at rest.
“The UK Government has announced the acquisition of private healthcare facilities and is setting up ‘Nightingale Hospitals' at the ExCel Centre in London, the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham and Manchester Central.
"Here in Wales there are already plans to provide 2,000 emergency beds at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and hundreds more at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli, but we are yet to hear what is happening here in North Wales.
"There's no time to waste on this, and I therefore urge the Health Board to provide clarity and reassurance on this as a matter of urgency."
