Minister quizzed over pain clinic closure
The service, which is provided at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital and serves 400 patients in Mid and North Wales aims to reduce suffering and enhance quality of life for those who suffer with chronic pain conditions.
It is due to close on March 31, following a reduction in the number of patients being referred to the hospital and an internal review finding the service is too fragile to continue safely as a result of operational and clinical challenges.
After raising the issue with the Welsh Government's Minister for Health, Vaughan Gething AM, Mr George has committed to meeting with the CEO of Powys Teaching Health Board, Carol Shillabeer, to discuss the way forward.
Mr George said: “The imminent closure of the chronic pain service at the RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry will be concerning for the dozens of people in North Powys who rely on this invaluable service.
“I have raised this issue with the Welsh Government’s Minister for Health who has in turn committed to working with the Powys Teaching Health Board and other stakeholders to ensure that there is an appropriate alternative for those people who rely on these chronic pain services, in order to minimise the impact of the decision to close the pain services at Oswestry.
“I am also due to meet with Carol Shillabeer, the Chief Executive of Powys Teaching Health Board and will also be speaking to the CEO of The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Mark Brandreth, to discuss these matters in more detail and will keep residents informed of the outcome of these discussions. It would be unacceptable if the chronic pain service at Oswestry were to close without an appropriate alternative in place.”
There are fears that local patients will have to travel as far away as Brecon for treatment after March 31.
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