New stroke unit to be based at Llandudno Hospital

Richard Evans, local democracy reporter

Llandudno Hospital will benefit from a new multi-million-pound stroke unit.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board says the unit will be one of three in the north of Wales.

It will help with the rehabilitation of people who have suffered a stroke but no longer need acute care.

The other unit at Ysbyty Eryi opened earlier this year, and a third is set to be announced.

Steven Grayston is the acting clinical director for therapy services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and said: “We are delighted to be opening a Stroke Rehabilitation Centre in Llandudno Hospital.

“This is one of three centres we are opening in north Wales, with one in Ysbyty Eryri that opened earlier this year, and another in the East area that will open in early 2023.

“This is a fantastic programme and a really important development in stroke care for the people of North Wales.

“The centre will be for patients who no longer need specialist medical care in acute hospitals but still require stroke rehabilitation that cannot be delivered at home.

“The new specialist community in-patient rehabilitation centres are to enhance and strengthen in-post-stroke care, giving people who have suffered a stroke maximum opportunity to recover and adapt in the best possible modern environment.

“This is part of a multi-million-pound programme, which aims to improve stroke rehabilitation, prevention, and diagnosis in north Wales.”

Ideally placed

Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders visited Llandudno Hospital last week and says she has campaigned for more investment in the hospital.

“I’ve long argued Llandudno is so ideally geographically placed,” she said.

“People come from the Llyn Peninsula and from Anglesey. Betsi Cadwaladr is such a huge health board (in terms of the area).

“So to have Llandudno offering more services, it takes the pressure off Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bangor, and (Wrexham’s) Maelor Hospital.

“When I was first elected in 2011, there was good investment going into Llandudno Hospital

“I was relatively reassured then that they had plans for it, but then we saw the endoscopy unit go. We saw things start up, and six months later they disappeared, whereas now it does look like the penny has dropped, and they do value Llandudno Hospital as an outreach centre and an integral part of the health service delivery in North Wales.”

She added: “The population age of Conwy does mean it is very reassuring to have it here in Llandudno. I think we have the second highest number of over 65s in the UK. But we also have a lot of over 85-year-olds as well. So it’s always been a no-brainer.

“Llandudno Hospital belongs to the community. There is a lot of affection locally for Llandudno Hospital. Whenever I speak to people from all over North Wales, they absolutely love coming to Llandudno Hospital.”

The Llandudno Hospital Action Group annual general meeting (AGM) is being held at the council chamber at Llandudno Town Hall, Lloyd Street, at 10.30 am on Monday 19 September.