Closing urgent care centres would have 'dire consequences', objectors say

Plans to close urgent primary care services at three hospitals would have "dire consequences", objectors say.

Betsi Cadawaladr health board has confirmed it is consulting on a proposal to end urgent primary care centre (UPCC) services at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley in Holyhead, Ysbyty Alltwen in Tremadog and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.

It said access to urgent care was a "priority" but the centres had faced financial pressures and ongoing recruitment difficulties.

If approved, they would be shut by 31 March 2027, but the move has sparked opposition, including claims it would cause additional pressure on GP practices and emergency departments - the services they were established to ease pressure on.

The UPCCs in north-west Wales were set up in 2022 and are staffed by advanced nurse practitioners, GPs and physiotherapists, who treat patients with urgent health problems on the same day.

Llinos Medi, Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament (MP) for Ynys Môn, Helen Jenner, leader of Reform Wales and Member of Senedd (MS) for Bangor Conwy Môn, and Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders, who also represents Bangor Conwy Môn, are among those who have written to Betsi Cadawaladr University Health Board (BCUHB).

They are particularly concerned about the potential loss of another service at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley, which previously lost its four-bed hospice unit operated by St David's Hospice in 2025.

Finch-Saunders said: "These centres help to relieve pressure on our accident and emergency departments when people are unable to get an appointment with their GP but require immediate care.

"It is vital that BCUHB supports these centres to remain open. Without them, existing waiting times could increase, potentially leading to delays in treatment."

Jeff Evans, Holyhead county councillor, said closing the facility would result in "dire consequences for the community and patients".

He warned that many people would instead turn to already stretched GP surgeries and emergency departments.

"If you close this centre, where do the people go?" he said.

"The doctors can't cope and are under pressure... it's disgusting and its not on.

"The community won't accept it, the doctors and nurses won't accept it, the patients who need the service won't accept it.

"Don't treat us like second-class citizens, don't take it away from us."

It follows the health board being given a "final chance" to improve in June, after spending nine years in special measures due to concerns about care quality, patient safety and leadership.

Carol Shillabeer, chief executive at BCUHB, said the board was reviewing the "current provision of UPCC services" and engaging with staff.

"The outcome of the review and the potential future approach will be developed in the coming months," she added.

In a statement, the Welsh government said decisions about the configuration of local NHS services were the responsibility of the health board, "which is best placed to assess the needs of its population".

"As with any possible service change, we would expect NHS Wales organisations to engage openly and transparently with stakeholders in line with national guidance," it said.

The move would not impact UPCC services at Mold Community Hospital or Wrexham Maelor Hospital.