Trade Union rep claims staff “support” controversial hospital plans

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Staff mostly support the potential changes to health services in Powys, according to their Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) trade union representative.

At the PTHB board meeting yesterday, members received a proposal to start a consultation on five options to radically change health provision in the county that will leave Welshpool without any beds, X-Ray facility or Minor Injury Unit.

Towards the end of the meeting, PTHB chairman Dr Carl Cooper said that it was “really important” that independent board member Cathie Poynton was given the opportunity to speak.

Ms Poynton works at PTHB, is the Unison branch secretary, and is an independent member of the board representing the trade unions.

Ms Poynton said: “We’ve been talking about what’s going to happen and the workforce.

“Staff are the ones that are driving the change. They know that the health board needs to change.

“They have been involved all the way through the process, and I admit not everyone is happy, you can’t please everybody all the time.

“Through various engagement processes we have done, staff have given their opinions and really got on board with taking PTHB through a change enthusiastically – as they can see it working.”

Ms Poynton continued: “Staff also understand it’s a marathon not a sprint and they are in the main looking forward to working further with services, directorates and departments to see what we can change Powys into.

“In the main the staff are with the change and know it needs to be made.”

Dr Cooper said: “Thank you for that important observation, receiving that perspective given your connectiveness (with staff) and experience is really important and appreciated.”

The consultation is due to start on October 5 and run until January 10, 2027, and will include 13 drop-in events across Powys.

The proposals are:

• Centralise inpatient bed provision across Brecon, Llandrindod Wells and Newtown hospitals.
• Or cut inpatient beds further with provision at Brecon and Newtown hospitals.
• Concentrate urgent care by establishing bigger centres in Brecon and Newtown – this would see minor injury units at Llandrindod Wells, Welshpool and Ystradgynlais close.
• The urgent care centres at Brecon and Newtown would also have a “minor illness and injury unit” at Llandrindod Wells.
• The last option is to centralise mental health services at Bronllys hospital.

PICTURE: Provided by From Above - Drone Photography.