Following a socially distanced visit on 26th August to the Hanmer Doctors’ Surgery, Simon Baynes, Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, yesterday highlighted the need to upgrade the surgery premises on the floor of the House of Commons.
Mr Baynes asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, firstly, to join him in welcoming the appointment of Jo Whitehead as the new Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and secondly, to wish her every success in resolving specific issues like the need to modernise the premises at Hanmer GP Surgery in Clwyd South and, more generally, to reduce the stubbornly high waiting lists in North Wales.
In response Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP said:
“As the UK Health Secretary, whilst of course the direct provision of healthcare is devolved, I take an interest in ensuring we have high quality healthcare right across the country. And I’m very happy to work with my colleagues in the Welsh Government on improving the delivery of services in the Betsi Cadwaladr health service.
“I wish the new Chief Executive all the very best and I’m sure she will take that service, improve it and work with her colleagues in this House to make sure the people of North Wales get the very best health services.”
Speaking later, Simon Baynes MP said:
“Following a visit to Hanmer GP Surgery on Wednesday 26 August where I met Dr Redman, County Cllr John McCusker and representatives of the Hanmer Surgery Patients Action Group, I was really glad to highlight in the House of Commons their well-evidenced proposal to the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for the development of a new Primary Healthcare Centre to replace the current unsuitable premises. Patient numbers are increasing (they are now approaching 2,000) and the new premises would enable the practice to relieve pressure on the rest of the health service locally. I hope very much that the new CEO Jo Whitehead makes this vital project a top priority.”