Betsi Cadwaladr and Conwy council in health shake-up talks

A number of protests have been held over the planned health service shake-up

Council and health officials have met in private to discuss concerns about a major NHS shake-up in north Wales.

It followed Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's decision to shut four community hospitals and transfer care for seriously ill babies to England.

Conwy councillors deferred a motion of no confidence in NHS managers last week after both sides agreed to hold talks.

It is understood their fears were not allayed and the motion of no confidence could be tabled again this month.

On Sunday, First Minister Carwyn Jones said health services would "collapse" unless hospitals were reorganised.

He told BBC Wales' Sunday Politics programme that changes to the NHS in Wales were necessary.

Wales' seven health boards are in the process of finalising reorganisation plans, many of which have sparked protests by opponents.

Watchdog

Last Monday's no confidence motion was due to be put to Conwy council by Cheryl Carlisle (Conservative), Brian Cossey (Lib Dem) and Phil Edwards (Plaid Cymru) and invited other north Wales councils to do the same.

Council leader Dilwyn Roberts told the meeting it "made people sit up and listen".

Now the council has held talks with the health board behind closed doors.

Denbighshire council meets on Tuesday to discuss its views to the plans.

A cross-party group of assembly members, including a Labour AM, have also called for Health Minister Lesley Griffiths to intervene.

The plans could be referred to ministers by the local patient watchdogs, the community health councils (CHCs).

Mr Jones told the Sunday Politics programme the government would look at proposals in detail if they are referred by CHCs.

Asked if he thought he would pay a political price, he said: "No I don't believe we will, because I think that people will see that what we are trying to do is to have a safe and sustainable health service."