Sarah Atherton MP commented:
“Since the recent influx of the norovirus, we’ve witnessed the Maelor Hospital under extreme pressure. In ‘normal’ circumstances, accident and emergency waiting times are completely unacceptable, having had first-hand experience of this myself only recently. But now, we are witnessing ambulance waiting times outside the Maelor spanning over a day, with 17 ambulances queuing becoming a regular occurrence.
Despite the significant funding settlement from the UK Government, the Welsh Labour Government simply is not prioritising spending on health. Rather, the Labour Health Minister is requesting for health boards to cut spending by a staggering 10% whilst admitting that there will be significant health pressures this winter. What this means for local residents, is that not only will bed numbers be reduced and ambulance waiting times continue to rise, but certain surgeries at the Maelor will be cancelled and rescheduled. Sadly, I have heard nothing that reassures me that the situation will improve.”