A CAMPAIGNING mother has received an apology from Welsh Assembly Health Minister Edwina Hart.
Ruth Drake, who is fighting to save children’s services at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, was left in tears when Miss Hart branded campaigners as mischief makers.
Mrs Drake, who has a two-year-old daughter with severe cerebral palsy, was so upset that she emailed Mrs Hart’s secretary to complain.
Mrs Hart has now replied to Mrs Drake and apologised to her for any offence caused by her comments.
Mrs Drake said: “She went on to explain that they were being careful not to frighten people and she said she would be happy to meet me.
“I would like to meet her and so have left it with her.”
Speaking about her reaction to the apology, Mrs Drake said: “I was appreciative but I felt like there was a wider spectrum of people she needs to say sorry to.
“A lot of people are calling for a public apology – I know a lot of other people have emailed her as she also upset them.” During a visit to Flintshire, Mrs Hart said said she was “fed up” with people causing mischief and called on campaigners to stop worrying people.
The campaign to retain services at the Maelor has been gathering pace and between 3-4,000 people have signed a petition.
Mrs Drake hopes to reach 15,000 signatures for the issue to be taken into consideration by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The campaign has also been supported by Wrexham MP Ian Lucas and Clwyd South AM Susan Elan Jones, who have written a joint letter to the chief executive of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Mary Burrows.
Mr Lucas, whose two children were born at the Maelor, said: “It’s inconceivable that Wrexham should not have a children’s ward.
“Wrexham is the largest town in North Wales and we need a high quality service.”
Options being looked at by the health board include retaining services at Wrexham Maelor, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and Ysbyty Gwynedd; establishing a two-site model at either Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and Ysbyty Gwynedd, or at Ysbyty Gwynedd and the Maelor.
A proposal for a single paediatric unit at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd with day units at the Maelor and Ysbyty Gwynedd is also being considered.
The health board is set to meet in January to make a decision.