‘Powys on the path to being a healthcare desert’

The Labour MP representing the Welshpool area has said yesterday’s decision to press ahead with plans to decimate Welshpool hospital was “predetermined” and has called on the Welsh Government to intervene.

Powys Teaching Health Board is putting its Better Together proposal to centralise Powys health services at two hub hospitals in Newtown and Brecon out for consultation following unanimous backing from its board yesterday.

It drew huge criticism from across the political spectrum and this morning Steve Witherden MP said: “The outcome is predetermined. Options, proposals, consultations; all rubberstamps on the path to make Powys a healthcare desert.

“The Welsh Government must intervene and give the board the funding it needs to stop this from happening.”

Prior to the meeting, eight Powys Plaid Cymru Members of the Senedd called for a rethink, and the Welsh Liberal Democrats handed over a near 8,000-signature petition.

Reform UK’s Member of the Senedd for Gwynedd Maldwyn, Andrew Griffin MS, wrote in his MyWelshpool column that “the erosion of Welshpool health services has to stop”.

But those pleas fell on deaf ears yesterday with the proposals, which will see Welshpool lose its beds, X-Ray facility and Minor Injury Unit, shifted to Newtown, moving onto their next phase of a public consultation from October 5.

Campaigners fear this is the start of the end for Welshpool Hospital with a group coming together to plan the next steps to fight the proposals.

Powys Teaching Health Board says it wants to make the changes to deliver a health service more fitting for modern day needs. But it also faces tough financial challenges and is desperate to streamline its operations.