“HOLYHEAD NEEDS ITS OWN VACCINATION CENTRE” says Ynys Môn MS
Disappointment as health board confirms ‘no plans’ for second Anglesey site
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS has expressed his disappointment following confirmation from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board that there are currently no plans for a community vaccination centre in Holyhead.
The Member of the Senedd welcomed the fact that GPs on the island have already been involved in the vaccination programme, but says that community vaccination centres should be provided in areas of higher population to ensure speedy and convenient delivery of the vaccine programme. He has written to BCUHB to make the case for a second centre, and says Anglesey Council is also supportive and is eager to provide a location, as they have done with the leisure centre in Llangefni.
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:
“I welcome that a centre has been earmarked for Llangefni, and having a centre in Bangor will make it accessible to people who live in the south of the island too. However, it is clear to me that we also need a vaccination centre for the most populated part on the Island, which is the Holyhead area, especially given recent pressure on primary care services in the town.”
Meanwhile, in his role as Shadow Minister for Health and Care, Mr ap Iorwerth will continue to push for improvements in the rollout of the vaccine Wales-wide, saying that the process started too slowly on a national level.
In the Senedd this week he he tabled an emergency question following suggestions by the First Minister that current stocks of vaccine would be spread out over a period of weeks, rather than be given out as quickly as possible. The First Minister subsequently withrew that suggestion. The Ynys Môn MS called for absolute clarity on vaccination strategy, transparency about the sharing of the vaccine UK-wide and within Wales, and about where problems arise in the system.
Mr ap Iorwerth praised the vaccination teams, adding:
“We have brilliant vaccinating teams are already at work, and others are poised ready to go, but it is crucial now that Welsh Government build the confidence we need in this all important vaccination programme.
“There are real signs that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been picking up the pace but let’s now see further plans for easing the mammoth task ahead of us, with more vaccination centres in more communities.”
