Betsi Cadwaladr health board proposes closing three urgent primary care centres by 2027

The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which provides NHS services to roughly a quarter of Wales’s population, has launched a formal consultation on the termination of urgent primary care centres (UPCCs) at three of its hospitals. The proposed closures target the centres at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley in Holyhead, Ysbyty Alltwen in Tremadog and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, with a planned completion date of April 2027.

According to the board, the decision is driven by persistent funding constraints and difficulties recruiting qualified staff. The UPCCs, staffed by general practitioners, advanced nurse practitioners and physiotherapists, were introduced across Wales from 2020 to alleviate pressure on GP surgeries and emergency departments. The board’s chief executive, Carol Shillabeer, indicated that the financial and recruitment pressures make the continued operation of these centres unsustainable.

Background

The urgent primary care model was adopted in Wales as a response to growing demand on primary and emergency services. By offering walk‑in appointments for patients who cannot secure a timely GP slot but do not require full emergency care, the centres were intended to reduce attendances at accident and emergency (A&E) departments. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been under special measures since 2015 due to concerns about care quality, patient safety and leadership. In June 2026 the board received a “final chance” from regulators to demonstrate improvement.

The three hospitals slated for closure serve distinct communities in North Wales. Holyhead’s Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley, Tremadog’s Ysbyty Alltwen and Bangor’s Ysbyty Gwynedd each host a UPCC that operates alongside standard hospital services. The board’s consultation seeks input from stakeholders before finalising the closures.

Why it matters

Local Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd (MSs) from across the political spectrum have expressed alarm over the proposed shutdowns. They warn that removing the UPCCs could place additional strain on A&E departments, potentially lengthening waiting times and delaying treatment for urgent but non‑emergency cases. Conservative MS Janet Finch‑Saunders, representing Bangor Conwy Môn, highlighted the role of the centres in relieving pressure on emergency services when patients cannot obtain a GP appointment.

If the closures proceed, residents of Holyhead, Tremadog and Bangor may need to travel further for urgent primary care, increasing demand on existing GP practices and hospital A&E units. The board’s financial rationale suggests that maintaining the centres is no longer viable, but critics argue that the long‑term cost to the health system could be higher if emergency services become overburdened.

What happens next

The board has opened a consultation period during which members of the public, healthcare professionals and elected representatives can submit feedback on the proposed closures. The consultation will run until a date set by the board, after which a final decision will be made. Should the board proceed with the plan, the closures are scheduled to be completed by April 2027. No alternative service arrangements have been detailed in the source material, and the board has not indicated whether additional resources will be allocated to neighbouring facilities to mitigate the impact.

The outcome of the consultation will determine whether the three urgent primary care centres remain operational or are phased out, a decision that will affect the delivery of urgent care services for thousands of residents in North Wales.