HOSPITAL fundraisers are hoping to stave off the re-location of key services by making a deal with the health board.
The League of Friends for Mold Community Hospital has offered to pay for a new X-ray machine in the hope it will persuade the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) not to move the Minor Injuries Unit and X-ray service elsewhere.
The move comes as protesters prepare to stage two marches on Friday in opposition to BCUHB proposals, which will see the key services moved to other hospitals such as Wrexham Maelor, Holywell and Deeside.
Beryl Powell, chairman of the League of Friends, said: “We are really unhappy at what the health board is planning to do.
“We have raised thousands of pounds for the hospital over the years and helped purchase new equipment and continue to provide a vital service to the community.
“We have made the offer to Betsi Cadwaladr to buy a new X-ray machine for the hospital in the hope that they will keep these services where they should be.”
The proposed cost-cutting measure is part of a wider move by BCUHB to reorganise services in the area, with Flint Community Hospital facing the prospect of complete closure as the BCUHB looks to make savings of £64.6 million this year.
“We have not been kept informed by Betsi Cadwaladr and weren’t consulted in any way. After all that we have done for the hospital, I find it shocking,” said Mrs Powell.
“Mold is a hub for the area and I really don’t think that they have thought this through.”
The marches, which will take place at 1pm and 5pm, will begin at the hospital grounds and make their way to Clwyd Theatr Cymru where there will then be a meeting to oppose the proposals.
Mayor of Mold Geoff Collett, who will lead the march, said: “The support for what we are trying to do has been overwhelming.
“I wanted to take the lead and organise a march as I really felt that something needed to be done and that people from Mold needed to have their voices heard.”
Cllr Collett believes the proposals to move the services away from Mold will have a damaging effect on the provision of health care in the area.
“If these services move to Wrexham and Deeside, it will make problems worse,” said Cllr Collett, who will be joined at Friday’s march by Delyn MP David Hanson.
“For those who don’t have transport it would pose a massive problem as, in the case of Deeside Hospital, it can take as many as three bus journeys to get there.
“If these services are sent elsewhere, it would simply place more pressure on places like Wrexham Maelor, which is already chronically overloaded.”