HOSPITAL FIGHT: Public event Thursday, protest march announced

The fight to stop the ludicrous service cuts at Welshpool Hospital will step up a gear this Thursday when a public meeting is being hosted at the Town Hall.

And in a new development, the campaign to save the hospital has announced a March and Rally for November 14 when a bed will be pushed at the front of protesters marching through the town from 10.30am (for an 11am start). The meeting point is Maesydre.

But the initial focus will be this Thursday after the Mayor of Welshpool, Cllr Bill Rowell, called a public meeting for the Town Hall from 6.30pm.

Organisers hope that a range of speakers will be present, including representatives from Powys Teaching Health Board who will be asked to explain why they believe that closing the beds ward, X-Ray facility and Minor Injury Unit is the right move for our already fragile local health services.

Campaigners fear that this is just the start of downgrading services at Welshpool, and other Powys community hospitals, that could eventually see them close.

Following the debate on Thursday, there will be a secret ballot to allow attendees to vote on the plans.

Powys Teaching Health Board faces a difficult task in trying to balance their budget while offering health services to the most rural part of Wales, and has launched a Better Together public consultation on their plans to centralise services for our area in Newtown.