‘North Wales must not be left behind’ say MPs as race to build coronavirus field hospital begins

North Wales MPs are calling for urgent action to ensure the region is not left behind in ensuring adequate capacity to treat coronavirus patients.

In recent days, the UK government has announced the acquisition of private healthcare facilities as well as the setup of “Nightingale” field hospitals at the ExCel Centre in London, the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham and the Manchester Central.

Similar plans are in place to provide 2000 emergency beds at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

The region’s seven Conservative MPs have now joined forces in a bid to ensure similar facilities are available in the north of Wales.

This weekend, it was revealed businesses in Flintshire have already been asked to source industrial equipment for such a development.

Vale of Clwyd’s Dr James Davies, who recently announced he would be returning the NHS to assist during the crisis, said: “It is imperative that North Wales is not overlooked in the provision of the Covid-19 treatment facilities we are likely to need.

“North Wales needs its own field hospitals. We are determined to ensure that Betsi Cadwaladr gets the support it needs to deliver this.

“It is essential that the NHS, military and other disciplines work together so that lives are not unnecessarily lost.”

“The NHS is devolved in Wales, so we need to be clear what access Welsh patients will have to local facilities or whether they will need to use provision in Manchester and Birmingham.

Robin Millar MP (Aberconwy) added:“Our discussions with the chairman of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board demonstrate both he and the chief executive grasp the urgency and importance of this matter.

“We are grateful that they are driving this forward and they have called a multi- agency meeting for Monday to confirm sites, timescale, process and clear resource requirements.

“We want to be absolutely sure that North Wales is as prepared as all other regions of the UK.”