Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Wylfa Newydd

Dr Jenifer Baxter considers the Wylfa Newydd project and the need for public services to support infrastructure development.

Recently, I have been following the comments surrounding the current consultation for the Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station in North Wales.  On the 23 October it was interesting to hear the BBC report that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board did not have the capacity to deal with a major development on Anglesey as being proposed by the Horizon Wylfa Newydd project.

The examples of services being squeezed and the lack of GP capacity in the region draws attention to the need for the Welsh Government to lead on providing strategic public services infrastructure to support economic development. Concerns that services will be challenged should not influence the decision making around this new power station.  There will be sufficient time for the Welsh Government and NHS to manage this problem and ensure that the incumbent and new communities are provided with the necessary public services.

This region of Wales has the potential to become a centre of excellence for the nuclear industry and energy technologies.  Research, development and training in the region will support the development of long-term UK national infrastructure.  Connections can be made with manufacturing in the North West of England leading to the creation of new skills and jobs and the regeneration of the North Wales corridor. The new Wales five year plan and the UK Industrial Strategy provide a perfect strategic backdrop to support this  growth in industry that will continue to provide new electricity generation through lower emission technologies. It is this potential that must drive the Welsh Government’s decision making on infrastructure and not that fear that public services will need larger funds.