Flint health care plans include birthing room

Health bosses say they will consider campaigners' ideas to extend community care facilities in a Flintshire town following the closure of its hospital.

Protesters want hospital beds back in Flint but bosses say while they do not feature in a planned new care centre they will consider "other options".

Other ideas being considered include opening a home birthing room for women.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said its new centre will bring together a "wide range of local services".

NHS bosses and members of Flint Hospital Campaign Group held further talks on Thursday.

Health board vice chairperson Margaret Hanson said 150 people and groups had been involved in discussions, with palliative and end-of-life care among the issues raised.

'Working hard'

"At the meeting I gave a commitment that we will continue to look at what options there are to work with partners to provide this care locally for people who cannot be cared for in their own homes," she said.

"However, there is a need for clarity following some of the reports that have come out after the meeting.

"The health centre will not be a 24-hour facility, and there are no plans to include beds in the unit. But there are other options that we can look at."

Mike Evans, from the Flint Hospital Campaign Group, gave the ideas a cautious welcome.

"The reason the campaign group was launched initially was around beds and minor injuries," he said.

"It's fantastic we're getting a new medical centre and we're working hard to get as much in that as possible.

"The beds and the minor injuries were the issue that got people on to the streets and the health board has recognised that there's an opportunity to develop something there that will be for the good of the health board and local people."