Gwynedd Maldwyn MS Siân Gwenllian has been learning about the work and pressures facing Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Emergency Department.

During a visit there, Siân met Dr Rob Perry, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and current Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) Wales, and heard about the pressures facing Emergency Departments across Wales.

The visit also provided an opportunity to congratulate the department on receiving Bronze accreditation through the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s GreenED programme. The accreditation recognises the department’s work to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining high standards of patient care.

Siân also saw the significant work that has been carried out on the hospital’s existing helipad, a project that will see the hospital gain a dual helipad – the first of its kind in the country. The facilities are an important part of the hospital’s emergency infrastructure, allowing medical helicopters to transport critically ill or injured patients rapidly to specialist emergency care.

The MS said she was aware “of some of the significant challenges” facing it.

“But I also want to take this opportunity to recognise the fantastic job staff are doing in very difficult circumstances,” she added.

“Care is clearly at the centre of everything they do, and it was obvious there is a real sense of teamwork across the department.

“From the cleaning staff and porters to clinical teams, everyone I met took great pride in their work and in providing the best possible care for patients.

“It was also good to see significant improvements to the existing helipad and construction of a second helipad, which will play an important role in ensuring critically ill and injured patients reach emergency care as quickly as possible.

“I would like to thank the whole department once again for the fantastic welcome and, most importantly, for the heroic work they continue to do every day.”