CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save maternity services in North Wales have handed a petition with over 10,000 signatures to the health board.

Bestsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is looking at downgrading maternity services in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Maelor, in Bodelwyddan, Bangor and Wrexham.

The planned changes could see consultant led services being withdrawn from one of the three hospitals and has sparked outrage throughout the region.

Earlier this year thousands of concerned people rallied in Rhyl against the proposed changes.

At the handing over of the petition Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales said: “Campaigners across the region have collected more than 10,000 names on petitions opposing the downgrading of maternity services. I think it’s important to emphasise that this has been a united campaign that has tried to avoid playing one hospital against another.”

Concerns were also raised that the health board had not looked into the potential consequences of a downgrade to the services.

He added: “There is a huge concern that the risk to mothers and babies will be increased if consultant-led services are lost in any of the three main hospitals. The health board has admitted that it hasn’t assessed the level of that risk in comparison with maintaining the current service. That in itself is a worry.

“I’m hoping the health board will listen to concerns from health professionals and patients alike. This is a critical crossroads for the health board’s credibility – will it continue with the bad old ways or choose a different path that reflects the wishes of staff, patients and the wider community. Time will tell.”

Grace Lewis-Parry, secretary of the board, accepted the petition on behalf of the health board, she said that the board is still asking for the public to have their say on the future of the services.

She said: “This consultation is really important, it is really important for many families across North Wales and we must listen to the views of people. However we have a service which is becoming increasingly difficult to manage because of staff shortages.”