RESIDENTS and councillors fear the overnight closure of a minor injuries unit in Llandudno could put lives at risk.
The announcement that the Llandudno Hospital Minor Injuries Unit will close between 10pm and 8am from tonight (Wednesday) sparked a 500 name petition.
Cllr Linda Groom with Doreen Websell and Carol Marubbi spearheaded the effort to persuade Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to rethink its decision.
Cllr Groom said: “It’s going to cause a lot of problems, especially as we have got two of the most deprived estates on the doorstep of the hospital.”
Cllr Groom said that transport options for patients were limited, as buses to Glan Clwyd do not run after 7pm.
She said: “When something happens in an emergency, even if it’s a minor emergency, you want to be seen as soon as possible.
“I feel it’s going to put people off seeking help when they really need it. It will put lives at risk and there will be consequences.”
Carol Marubbi, who formerly sat on the Community Health Council, said that more than 500 people had already signed the petition which has been placed in local shops including Llandudno Asda.
Miss Marubbi, who is a regular user of the service due to her health issues, called the decision “horrendous”.
She said: “We were incensed. Never in a million years did we think they were going to take away something so vital.
“We’ve got so many one-parent families in Conwy. How are they going to get to hospital?”
Miss Marubbi also said that she was concerned for vulnerable and elderly people, as the cost of travel could be prohibitive.
She said: “I know one holidaymaker who had to go to Glan Clwyd and it cost her £46 to get back. The cheapest taxi to Glan Clwyd costs £24 and it costs £31 to get to Ysbyty Gwynedd.”
A spokesman for Betsi Cadwaladr health board said: “The Health Board is introducing changes to the opening hours of the Minor Injuries Unit to ensure that staff are available to provide patient care when the unit is at its busiest during the day.”
He also said that the impact of the changes would be monitored and that plans to develop services at the hospital over the next five to eight years might include the provision of a new Minor Injuries Unit.