Closing urgent care centres would have 'dire consequences', say campaigners

Plans to close urgent primary care services at three hospitals would have "dire consequences", campaigners say.

Betsi Cadawaladr health board has confirmed it is consulting on a proposal to end urgent primary care centre, external (UPCC) services at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley in Holyhead, Ysbyty Alltwen in Tremadog and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.

It said access to urgent care was a "priority" but the centres had faced financial pressures and ongoing recruitment difficulties.

If approved, they would be shut by 31 March 2027, but the move has sparked opposition, including claims it would cause additional pressure on GP practices and emergency departments - the services they were established to ease pressure on.