Flint campaigners' petition to reverse hospital closure

Campaigners fighting to reverse a decision to close a community hospital have handed over a petition signed by 5,000 people to Wales' health minister.

The Flint Hospital Campaign Group submitted it to Mark Drakeford after services were moved out of Flint Hospital despite a wave of protests.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) said a new £4.5m health centre could be built in the town.

But campaigners want the decision overturned.

Campaign spokesman Mike Evans told BBC Radio Wales a meeting held at Flint Town Hall on Wednesday night went well and the group was in a "positive mood".

"It's 12 months now since Betsi Cadwaladar's consultation - and I use that word lightly - deemed that the hospital was to close, but it's a mistake," he said.

"Everybody locally recognises that the health board has made a mistake and so it's our duty to do our very best to get that mistake reversed."

The Welsh government has said it will submit a business plan for a Flint Primary Care Resource Centre, which, it says, will provide facilities for the community.

But Mr Evans said it would be "nothing more than a GP surgery with a clinic attached" and, he said, it would not have "vital community beds".

He said people in Flint will have to catch a train and then a bus to reach Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire.