January 23, 2026 - 232 views
Conwy County Borough Council has joined Denbighshire County Council in formally declaring a health emergency, citing ongoing pressures on health and social care services across North Wales.
The declaration followed a motion brought before Conwy Council this week, which received cross-party support and was approved by elected members, including the council leader and representatives from all political groups. Conwy becomes the second local authority in North Wales to pass such a motion, following Denbighshire’s decision in November.
The motion highlights concerns around long waiting times for treatment, pressure on hospital services, the use of corridor care, and the knock-on impact on council-run social care services.
Janet Finch-Saunders MS, Member of the Senedd for Aberconwy, said she welcomed the council’s decision, pointing to the experiences raised by residents.
“Every week I hear from constituents who are struggling with long waits for treatment or appointments and poor experiences of care,” she said. “These concerns are shared by many families across the region.”
She also referenced the ongoing BEDS – Ending Corridor Care campaign, which calls for an end to the use of corridors for patient treatment in hospitals, saying some residents were reluctant to attend hospital because of fears around long waits and lack of space.
Clwyd West MS Darren Millar also supported the declaration, saying it reflected concerns being raised by patients and frontline staff across North Wales.
The declaration comes amid continued challenges for NHS Wales, including workforce shortages, rising demand, and pressures linked to an ageing population. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which oversees services in North Wales, has acknowledged ongoing pressures but has also pointed to recent efforts to stabilise services.
Across Wales, the NHS continues to deliver millions of GP appointments each year, with health boards working to expand diagnostic capacity, increase community-based care and reduce hospital admissions where possible. Investment has also been directed towards same-day emergency care services, surgical hubs, and additional support for primary care to help reduce pressure on hospitals.
Welsh Government data shows some improvements in ambulance response times and planned care recovery compared to previous years, although performance remains below pre-pandemic levels in several areas.
The BEDS campaign has gained attention across Wales as part of a wider conversation about patient dignity, hospital capacity and the need for additional beds and staffing. Health leaders have previously stated that reducing corridor care requires not only hospital capacity but also improvements in social care, discharge processes and community support.
Conwy Council’s declaration does not in itself change NHS policy or funding, but supporters say it is intended to underline the scale of the challenges facing health and care services in the region and to encourage further action and collaboration between local authorities, health boards and national government.
Council leaders in North Wales have said they will continue to work with NHS partners to address pressures locally, while calls continue for longer-term solutions to improve access, capacity and patient experience across the Welsh health system.
