CALLS for an independent review of Blaenau Ffestiniog’s health provision have been backed by the National­ Assembly’s Petitions Committee­.

The committee backed the calls after receiving a petition from the Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital Defence Committee which called for the reinstatement of beds and an X-ray unit in the town’s health centre.

The Petitions Committee has published a report containing a summary of its consideration of the petition and its conclusions arising from this process.

David Rowlands AM, chair of the National Assembly’s Petitions Committee, said: “We believe the report’s findings, particularly the recommendation for an independent review of healthcare provision in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area, should be taken on by health service providers.

“We also believe strongly in the need to build bridges between Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital Defence Committee, and hope the establishment of Canolfan Goffa Ffestiniog proves to be a suitable catalyst for constructive dialogue to begin.”

On receiving the news that an independent review had been backed, Tom Brooks of the Blaenau Ffestiniog Defence Committee, said: “That this petition has been open and under consideration for so long is a sad reflection on the dictatorial attitude of the Ministerial Office which tried to force the residents of this north Meirionnydd area into accepting what has been described as probably the most primitive healthcare service in Great Britain.”

A spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: “A post-project evaluation of the new health centre will be undertaken by the end of 2018 as required by Welsh Government, with the aim of assessing the benefits and results achieved by the development.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson­ said: “The hea­lth board has responded to the recommendations from the Gwynedd scrutiny committee.

“Its focus is on delivering, evolving and expanding the services in the new centre to the wider community.

“This will involve evaluation of the new centre to assess the benefits and results to the local population.“­