Madam,

We have written to health minister Vaughan Gething to tell him that our main platforms in our campaign for the two Blaenau Ffestiniog wards will be to strive to secure a number of beds in the new hospital/health centre being built in the town.

The original hospital was built with the pennies gathered by the thousands of slate quarrymen who toiled in the town quarries for several decades.

The issue of there being no beds designated for the new hospital is a sore issue within the town, causing grief and resentment. The ‘Friends of the Hospital’ organised a referendum within the town to find out their views on the issue. The result was a staggering rejection of what is on offer.

As a consequence of this clear democratic decision we implore Mr Gething to reconsider the earlier decision and come up with an acceptable alternative - ie that either a new wing be added with facilities to include at least 20 beds or that the plans be revamped to include a 20-bed unit within the existing perimeter of those plans.

Yours etc,

Glyn Daniels and Mark Thomas, prospective Llais Gwynedd candidates for the Rhiw and Bowydd Ward and the Diffwys and Maenofferen Ward of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

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