Betsi Cadawaladr University Health Board has announced it is consulting on proposals to shut urgent primary care centre services at three hospitals across north Wales by 31 March 2027. According to BBC News, the affected facilities are Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley in Holyhead, Ysbyty Alltwen in Tremadog, and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor. The health board cited financial pressures and persistent recruitment difficulties as reasons for the proposed closures.
Campaigners and elected representatives have strongly opposed the plans, arguing they would place additional strain on already stretched GP practices and emergency departments. The centres were originally established to reduce pressure on these services, making their potential closure particularly controversial.
The three urgent primary care centres opened in 2022 after the health board secured Welsh Government funding. The centres are staffed by advanced nurse practitioners, GPs and physiotherapists, and they operate on different schedules: Penrhos Stanley on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; Alltwen on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; and Ysbyty Gwynedd on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, each from 9:00 to 18:00. Importantly, the centres are not walk-in facilities—patients must contact their GP first, and the GP decides whether to refer them for a telephone consultation before any in-person appointment.
What concerns do campaigners have?
Multiple elected representatives have written to the health board expressing alarm at the proposed closures. Janet Finch-Saunders, Conservative Member of Senedd for Bangor Conwy Môn, stated that the centres play a vital role in relieving pressure on accident and emergency departments when patients cannot secure GP appointments but require immediate care.
It is vital that BCUHB supports these centres to remain open. Without them, existing waiting times could increase, potentially leading to delays in treatment.
Plaid Cymru MP Llinos Medi and Helen Jenner, leader of Reform Wales and MS for Bangor Conwy Môn, have also raised concerns. Finch-Saunders launched a campaign to save the Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley centre after the internal consultation was announced.
Jeff Evans, Holyhead county councillor, warned that closure would result in
dire consequences for the community and patients, predicting that many residents would turn to already stretched GP surgeries and emergency departments instead.
Why is Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley particularly vulnerable?
The proposed closure of the urgent care centre at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley is particularly concerning to campaigners because the hospital has already experienced significant service losses. The facility previously lost its four-bed hospice unit operated by St David's Hospice in 2025, meaning this closure would represent another major reduction in services available to the local community.
What financial and staffing challenges does the health board face?
The health board's letter explaining the proposals indicates that the proposed service cessation follows funding constraints and recruitment and retention difficulties, with increasing reliance on temporary staff. Carol Shillabeer, chief executive at Betsi Cadawaladr University Health Board, acknowledged that the board was reviewing the current provision of urgent primary care centre services and engaging with staff on the matter.
The health board stated that
access to urgent and emergency care is a priority for the health board, but the financial and staffing pressures have made the current model unsustainable in its view.
What is the broader context for this health board?
This proposal emerges at a critical time for Betsi Cadawaladr University Health Board, Wales' largest health board. In June 2026, the board was given a final warning after spending nine years in special measures due to concerns about care quality, patient safety and leadership. The Welsh government has increased oversight with an expert panel reviewing progress, making any further service reductions particularly sensitive.
What does the Welsh government say?
In a statement, the Welsh government said that decisions about the configuration of local NHS services were the responsibility of the health board, which it described as being
best placed to assess the needs of its population. However, the government added that it would expect NHS Wales organisations to engage openly and transparently with stakeholders in line with national guidance when considering any possible service change.
Which services will not be affected?
The proposed closures would not impact urgent primary care centre services at Mold Community Hospital or Wrexham Maelor Hospital, meaning some facilities in the health board's area would continue to operate.
What happens next?
The health board has confirmed that the outcome of the review and the potential future approach will be developed in the coming months. The consultation process will determine whether the proposed closures proceed as planned or whether alternative solutions can be found to address the financial and staffing challenges facing these centres.
