THE councillor for Bowydd and Rhiw is calling for end of life care and beds in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Cllr Annwen Daniels made the comments whilst presenting a cheque for £5,350 to Blaenau Ffestiniog’s home care service on behalf of Y Goeden Goffa.

Cllr Daniels, who is also chair of Y Goeden Goffa, said: “Thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses, Y Goeden Goffa has successfully raised over £5,000 during the past two years.

“This last year has seen our fundraising work cease. We usually have collection buckets out and forms in shops for people to fill out - but this year, nothing! Covid-19 has clearly demonstrated that the need for end of life care here in the area is more important than ever.

“You can’t expect people to travel to Llandudno or Ysbyty Alltwen to visit loved ones with bus services decreasing and travel costs increasing.

“We need a dedicated site here in Blaenau, with quality beds and care for people as they reach the end of their lives.

“At the end of your life, people need care, medical intervention, kindness and respect.

“They get that in their homes, thanks to the amazing nurses who care for people at their homes.

“But for many, more support is needed, with 24-hour cover for patients and their families, as the pressure increases.”

Gill Harris, executive director of nursing & midwifery at Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, said: “When the beds were closed in Ffestiniog Hospital in 2013, six additional inpatient beds for Blaenau patients were opened in Ysbyty Alltwen and there was increased investment in enhanced and higher acuity level district nursing care across Meirionnydd, as well as the implementation in 2015/16 of an evening and overnight DN service based in Ysbyty Alltwen.

“These developments have meant we are now caring for significantly more palliative care patients in their own homes in the Blaenau area than ever before. The specialist palliative care team are also now based Canolfan Goffa in Blaenau and are making patient visits and managing their palliative care workload in close partnership with the primary care team working within the same building.

“We are continuing to work in partnership with St David’s Hospice and Gwynedd local authority to look at options for delivering more choice at end of life for the population of Gwynedd.”

Gwynedd Council has been asked to comment.