Betsi Cadwaladr NHS shake-up prompts Wrexham protest

Protesters want the health service plans throw out

About 80 people staged a rally in Wrexham about health service shake-up plans in north Wales.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's re-organisation includes the transfer of specialist intensive care for babies to England.

The opponents to the plans met outside the office of Health Minister Lesley Griffiths who is the Labour AM for Wrexham.

They are calling on the minister to intervene and throw out the plans.

However, patient watchdog the local Community Health Council (CHC) has yet to make a decision on the plans and it can forward them to Ms Griffiths' office if they have any concerns.

On Sunday, First Minister Carwyn Jones told BBC Wales health services in Wales will "collapse" unless hospitals are reorganised.

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

In north Wales, the health board's decision to close four community hospitals, minor injuries units and transfer care for seriously ill babies to England has prompted several protests.