WORK is ongoing to review minor injury provisions in North Wales, a minister has confirmed.

Jack Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside has continued his campaign for a minor injuries unit in Deeside Hospital in a question to the Health Minister in the Senedd.

He asked Health Minister Vaughan Gething what he was doing to look into the matter.

He said: “The Welsh Government's Choose Well campaign rightly urges people to only use accident and emergency departments as and when they need to.

“It also helps them to choose and advises them to choose other healthcare services where appropriate, such as those provided by community pharmacies, general practitioner surgeries or through minor injuries services.

“A minor injuries unit in Deeside hospital in my constituency would help my residents choose well, as would fully staffed GP surgeries open at accessible hours right across my constituency.

“So, Minister, will you do all in your power to make sure that the health board properly considers this request for a minor injuries unit in Deeside and also looks at improving GP provision, right across Alyn and Deeside?”

Mr Gething said work is currently ongoing and in the last two years, there have been about 20,000 minor injuries attendances at the Wrexham Maelor emergency department—a significant number of people going there.

He added: “They've actually put in additional support, both with general practice and also advanced nurse practitioner support within Wrexham from the start of November last year.

“I think part of this journey is not only to understand what that means in terms of releasing pressure, but also to keep an open mind about the issues the Member is raising, whether it's Deeside or another area that is relevant, and that is being considered as part of the review.

“So, I'm very clear that not only is the review the right thing to do, but there also is a need to engage with local representatives, like the Member, to have an open conversation about the data and the information they've got and any potential choices they make to make this a much more accessible service for people right across the north-east of Wales.”

Speaking after the Chamber, Mr Sargeant told the Leader: “I welcome the comments from the Minister regarding additional provision, I will be contacting the Health Board to ask them to seriously consider Deeside Hospital.”

“Minor injuries units relieve pressure on A&E departments as do fully staffed GP practices. I will continue to raise the importance of recruiting GPs to surgeries in Alyn and Deeside”