BETSI Cadwaladr University Health Board has clarified why an ITV Wales vehicle parked in a parking space reserved for ambulances at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan yesterday (March 8).

The health board said that the media organisation was given special permission to park there for a short period of time before interviewing medical director Dr Nick Lyons at the hospital.

It was brought to the Journal’s attention after a resident attending the hospital at the same time, Lewis Green, raised concerns.

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Mr Green said he took the above photo at roughly 2.45pm yesterday.

Betsi Cadwaladr was placed back into special measure late last month.

Mr Green said: “ITV News were here filming at Glan Clwyd Hospital, and a news reporter and cameraman parked their van in the ‘ambulance-only’ bay.

“It was there in the ‘ambulance-only’ bay for over 30 minutes while they filmed a news piece about the health board being in special measures.

“They were confronted by the site managers and security, and told they were not meant to be on the hospital land filming.

“It feels extremely frustrating, as ambulances were struggling to park at the front of the hospital.

“They were filming about the struggles within the hospital, but didn't take the impact of their irresponsible parking into consideration.”

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Mr Green was to urged contact the health board directly so that the matter could be explored further.

A Betsi spokesperson said: “ITV Wales were given permission to park at the front of Glan Clwyd Hospital for a short period of time, while they conducted an interview with our medical director, Dr Nick Lyons.

“We're not aware that this disrupted the work of our Welsh Ambulance Service colleagues and would encourage Mr Green to contact us directly, so we can look into his concerns.”

The Welsh Ambulance Service declined to comment further when approached, while attempts were also made to contact ITV.