WREXHAM'S MP has slammed Welsh Government saying "access to healthcare in Wrexham is getting worse". 

Sarah Atherton has criticised the Welsh Government's handling of the NHS and says lack of funding is leading to more delays, longer A+E waiting times and fewer patient beds. 

The North Wales health board was placed back into special measures earlier this year, following serious concerns about the running of the organisation. 

There have been a number of incidents in which patients have been forced to wait over 10 hours to be seen at the hospital.

The MP for Wrexham also referenced the number of ambulances queueing up outside the Maelor Hospital which she says is putting "lives at risk". 

In October , 16 ambulances queued up outside A+E due to handover delays.

Last week, Betsi Cadwaldr announced they had significantly increased staffing in the Maelor's emergency department in an attempt to combat the oncoming pressures of winter. 

However, this week, the health board put out a message to the public warning of "extremely long waits" in the emergency department, urging those who didn't need to visit A=E to find alternative healthcare.

And with the inevitable winter pressures soon to hit, Ms Atherton has called for change. 

She said: "Despite the UK Government handing the Welsh Government £18 billion a year, which is the largest annual funding settlement to Wales since devolution began, access to healthcare in Wrexham is getting worse. 

"Recently, Welsh Labour’s Health Minister, Eluned Morgan directed health boards to slash spending by 10% which will result in more delays, longer A&E waiting times, and fewer patient beds. This is particularly alarming as we approach the winter challenges. 

“With ambulances banking up in double figures outside the Maelor Hospital for hours on end waiting to transfer patients, the Welsh Government is putting lives at risk and as a result, failing to provide even the most basic of health care services.

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"For every £1 spent on the NHS in England, Wales receives £1.20, yet the Welsh Labour Government chooses to give only £1.05 of that money to our Welsh NHS. The Welsh Government cannot continue using the excuse that it is not adequately funded as a disguise for its incompetence."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “These comments are ill-informed at best.

“We’re facing the toughest financial situation since devolution as a result of 13 years of this UK Government.

“But despite the extreme pressures on our budget we have provided additional funding to support the NHS. We are investing in same-day emergency care and extra community beds as well as integrated solutions with social care services to help improve patient flow through hospitals and tackle ambulance handover delays."