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Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
Powys Teaching Health Board 'to blame for waiting times'
Health officials should be blamed for Powys residents waiting longer than English patients to be treated in hospitals across the border, a senior councillor has said. Yesterday (Thursday, July 10), Cllr Beverley Baynham brought forward a notice of motion in front of councillors on this issue. The cost-cutting measure by Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) came into force on July 1 and means that some residents in parts of Powys will face longer waiting times for planned care at English hospitals such as the Royal Shrewsbury or Hereford County hospitals. This is due to PTHB implementing NHS Wales waiting time targets, which are slower than those in England. Cllr Angela Davies said: 'It is really concerning to Powys residents who go over the border, there is nothing in this motion to object. 'We're merely tasking the Welsh Government to adequately fund PTHB as we ask them to fund our local authority so that they can deliver the service that residents require.' She proposed moving straight to the vote. Deputy council leader, and Labour group leader, Cllr Matthew Dorrance then came in and said that his group would be supporting the motion but had concerns on the second point of the motion. The part under concern said: 'Calls upon the (Labour) Welsh Government to provide immediate funding support to PTHB, addressing the challenges of cross-border healthcare commissioning.' Cllr Dorrance said: 'It's important that we come together on this issue and the whole council speaks with one voice 'This Welsh Government are a significant partner and of course they are important in this debate, but they do fund the health board to the tune of over £400 million a year.' He pointed out that health and social care receives over 55 per cent of the Welsh Government's budget. Cllr Dorrance continued: 'I don't believe this is merely about money or resources we know from the evidence that has been presented by PTHB this is about demand management and invoice avoidance. 'So, it's delaying elected care so that the invoices are coming later so that they have an opportunity to deal with their deficit. 'That's what I strongly believe this is about – it's not about the Welsh Government these are decision being taken by the health board on how they deliver health care in this rural setting, and they need to be held to account for their decision.' He added that the Welsh Government had pumped in an extra £600 million into the Welsh NHS this year due to having two Labour government's working together. The motion then moved to a vote and 53 councillors voted in favour of the motion with one councillor abstaining.
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
Air Ambulance called as child was unwell at Powys hospital
THE Wales Air Ambulance was called out when a child reported as being unwell at a Powys hospital this week. It is believed that the child was suffering with heat exhaustion and dehydration and had attended Brecon War Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, July 8. Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) sending out a warning that in the event of someone feeling seriously unwell, it is always advisable to phone 999 rather than visit a community hospital. 'I can confirm the Wales Air Ambulance attended an incident in the Brecon area on Tuesday, July 8,' said a spokesperson for the Wales Air Ambulance charity. 'Our Dafen-based crew were allocated at 3.58pm and arrived at the scene, via air, at 4.24pm. Our involvement concluded at 7.33pm.' A PTHB spokesperson said: 'In a health emergency it is really important to avoid unnecessary delay. 'So, if your child is seriously unwell or seriously injured, please call 999. 'For illnesses that are not as serious, please use the NHS 111 Wales Symptom Checker or make an appointment with your GP. Or call NHS Direct Wales 111 if you are unsure about what to do. 'Adults and children age 2 and over with minor injuries (such as sprains, cuts or minor burns) can be seen at our minor injury units in Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, Welshpool and Ystradgynlais. 'Powys Teaching Health Board encourages patients to phone first for Minor Injury Unit wherever possible, so that they can provide telephone advice including directing you to an alternative service if your injury cannot be treated in a Minor Injury Unit setting.' You can visit a Powys Teaching Health Board Minor Injury Unit for: • Broken bones (fractures) • Dislocations, sprains and strains • Wounds and minor burns • Simple insect stings without complications • Insect, animal and human bites • Foreign bodies to eyes, ears and nose • Head or face injuries (if there is no loss or change in level of consciousness) • Non-penetrating eye and ear injuries • Minor injuries Minor Injury Units cannot treat: • Colds, coughs, sore throats, earache, rashes, temperatures • Illness/minor illness • Urinary infections, cystitis or catheter problems • Dental problems • Accident with injury to abdomen/stomach • Abdominal pain • Chest pain • Collapse • Breathing problems • Stroke • Overdose and poisoning • Painful limbs, joints or backs (not caused by an injury) • Skin complaints including boils and rashes • Loss of consciousness
Cambrian News
08-07-2025
- Health
- Cambrian News
Concern over waiting time policies for Powys patients
The cost cutting measure by Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) came into force on 1 July and means that some residents in parts of Powys will face longer waiting times for planned care at English hospitals such as the Royal Shrewsbury or Hereford County hospitals..
Powys County Times
11-06-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Delay Llanidloes hospital decision, Powys Health Board told
Calls have been made to Powys Teaching Health Board to delay the imminent decision on the potential permanent "downgrade" of Llanidloes Hospital. People living in town and surrounding area feel there has been a "consistent failure" to involve them in important decisions that could affect the town's hospital. Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds MS has shared her "deep and urgent concerns" with Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) about the future of healthcare provision in Llanidloes. She has called for PTHB's decision to be delayed until "meaningful" community engagement can be demonstrated with residents in the Llanidloes area. Ms Dodds says adopting the recent changes permanently would have a "profoundly detrimental" impact on Powys residents who heavily rely on the hospital's services. " Llanidloes Hospital holds significant value for the people of the town and surrounding areas, both practically and symbolically," the party leader told PTHB. "There are serious concerns about the lack of transparency and democratic engagement demonstrated by the Health Board throughout this process. "Many residents feel that there has been a consistent failure to adequately consult or involve the community in decisions that directly affect their healthcare provision. "The future of Llanidloes Hospital, and the wellbeing of those who depend on it, must not be determined without the meaningful input of the community it serves. "In light of this, I respectfully request that you delay your imminent decision on the potential permanent downgrade of the hospital, until you can demonstrate meaningful community engagement with the residents of the Llanidloes area. "Furthermore, I am calling for a reversal of the downgrade, and in particular a restoration of the ability of local GPs to admit local patients to the Hospital." Llanidloes county councillor and prospective Senedd member Glyn Preston also joined his party leader's criticism of PTHB's approach to engaging with the community following the temporary downgrade to the hospital's services last year. 'The Health Board promised a full and proper consultation with the local community during this trial period of the hospital being used as a 'Ready-to-go-home-unit',' Cllr Preston said. 'Despite that, there has been no meaningful in person consultation with Llanidloes residents, and the Health Board seemed poised to rubber-stamp the downgrade for good at their board meeting next month.' "Earlier this year we asked people and partner organisations across the county to share their views on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges for health services. We are grateful to hundreds of people who shared their views. 'Building on the what we heard this spring, the next stage of this work is now under way. This asks for ideas about how adult physical and mental health community services should be delivered in future. "There are lots of ways to get involved including by visiting our engagement website, popping in to your local library where printed information packs are available, or contacting us by phone, email or post to request a copy of our discussion document. 'The focus of our Better Together conversation during 2025 is on adult physical and mental health community services. After this, we will focus on planned care (such as routine outpatients, surgical day cases and investigations which help to identify a health condition or disease) followed by services which support children, families and women's health.
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.
