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Powys County Times
21-05-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Decision on Powys Hospital changes to be made in July
The final decision on whether changes to Powys hospitals will be made permanent will be made soon as the health board faces 'difficult options'. In a meeting of Powys Teaching Board, it was heard that the decision on whether keep controversial temporary changes implemented at the beginning of the year will be made in July. Changes were made to Bronllys Hospital and Llanidloes War Memorial Hospital with wards designated as 'Ready To Go Home' units while Brecon and Newtown have been changed to support patients 'who need more specialised inpatient rehabilitation'. The changes were highly controversial when they were implemented with Arwystli Medical Practice in Llanidloes being highly critical. In a post last year, a spokesperson for the practice said: ''Ready to go home' wards allow the health board to sidestep minimum nursing staffing levels. 'This means fewer nurses looking after our community hospital patients so when patients develop extra care needs or become unwell, there won't be the resources to provide the needed care or treatment.' The plans also saw a backlash in Powys with Glyn Preston, county councillor for Llanidloes, travelling to PTHB's headquarters in Bronllys with a busload of residents to hand over a petition signed by more than 2,400 people to the health board's chief executive Hayley Thomas. It was not indicated whether the changes would be made permanent as consultation on the effectiveness of the changes has not been completed and a 'full evaluation report' will be made ahead of the boards meeting in July. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app This comes as the Powys Teaching Health Board are continuing to face further financial pressure with a estimated financial deficit this year of over £20 million. This is despite other controversial changes passed this year which will purposefully make patients wait longer for treatment in English Hospitals to lower costs. Further to this, there is currently a consultation being led by the health board to see what changes residents wish to see to services as part of its 'Better Together' plans. However chief executive Hayley Thomas admitted that there would be 'difficult options going forward' as the board tried to balance its budget and met its statutory commitments set out by the Welsh Government.
Powys County Times
26-04-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Letter: Powys Health Board refuses to listen to the public
We are rapidly running out of time to restore Llanidloes Hospital to its core role of providing medical care for the local community. Last autumn, Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) implemented what they described as a temporary (six-month) policy of removing medical services at the site in order to address serious problems of bed-blocking in Welsh hospitals, by using the hospital as a de facto care home. This was done despite almost universal opposition to the plans from all sections of the community. Only Fools and Horses star nearly turned down this iconic role - here's why M&S releases 'absolutely divine' version of viral Dubai-style chocolate bar Builth Wells youngster Deri Mason shines for top Welsh rugby invitational side All political parties, current and previous health staff including GPs, and many others spoke passionately and knowledgeably about why this 'temporary' repurposing was unwanted and inappropriate. PTHB essentially refused to listen. The Welsh Government replaced Community Health Councils with the current body, Llais. Llais is supposed to have its finger on the pulse of the community relating to health and care matters, and ensure that PTHB is appropriately responsive to local needs and wishes. Unfortunately, there was no evidence during last year's 'consultations' that Llais had sought or heard any representation from the local community. And now, when they should be consulting with the public in south Montgomeryshire to ensure that their voice is given due weight, there is more silence. If you live within the catchment affected by the presence (or absence) of the hospital in Llanidloes, and have a view on the matter, please contact governance@ and/or as soon as possible.
