Wylfa Newydd 'will impact' Betsi Cadwaladr health services

The planned Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station will present "significant challenges" to services in north Wales, the health board has said.

Horizon, the company behind the massive project near Cemaes, Anglesey, has carried out a second public consultation which closes on Tuesday.

The company said the project will bring significant investment to the island.

Geoff Lang, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's strategy director, said services could be squeezed.

He said, with the addition of workers and their family members, the population of Anglesey could rise by about 12% and the impact may fall on a small number of GP practices.

Horizon estimates Wylfa Newydd will take about nine years to build with between 8,000 and 11,000 workers during the construction phase.

"Working on an average GP list size ratio of one GP to 1,800 patients, it is estimated that there could be a requirement for an additional 4.5 GPs, with associated clinical and support staff to meet the potential needs of the workers," he said.

This would also impact on hospital and community services such as mental health, substance misuse, dental, children and maternity, he said.

The health board's budget funding formula does not take into account such a major development, so extra money is being sought, Mr Lang added.

He said despite, the challenges, there are potential benefits in terms of investment and a legacy for the community.