COLUMN: Health priorities for the new First Minister 

As the Senedd gets set to return following its summer break, Montgomeryshire representative Russell George tells our readers that he wants the new First Minister to focus on our local health services.

“Following the summer break, Senedd Members soon return. This will be my first chance to question the new First Minister, Eluned Morgan, and Mark Drakeford, who returns as the Interim Cabinet Secretary for Health.

The new FM will need to focus on getting NHS waiting times down, which are currently the longest in the UK, but having been the cabinet secretary who has presided over the NHS, I worry about this priority. Locally, there are priorities I want the new FM and Health Secretary to address.

Powys Teaching Health Board have announced proposed temporary changes to the provision of services at local cottage hospitals. There is particular concern with a downgrading of services at Llanidloes Hospital and there are also concerns from a staffing viewpoint at Welshpool Hospital. I am concerned that committed NHS staff may leave the profession.

I have asked the health board to pause their current plans to allow for a formal and meaningful consultation to take place, and I would hope the health board will consult and provide comprehensive discussions.

Following the announcement, I met with the CEO of Powys Teaching Health Board, and I also attended a very well attended public meeting in Llanidloes.

Not only did the hundreds of members of the public outline their concerns about the health boards plans to make changes to the provision of services at Llanidloes Hospital, but it was also clear from the meeting that current and former GPs, and other local health professionals oppose the Health Boards plans.

I have a concern that what the Health Board refer to as a temporary change to the provision, will become a permanent change. I am further concerned that a downgrading of services, will make it more difficulty to retain and recruit staff. I don’t believe the health board have set out their current proposals in a meaningful way.

There is a further concern about the pace of progress for a new build Hospital and Health facility in Newtown. This is an important project which must not be delayed, as this new build will ensure that we receive the right treatment much closer to home, rather than traveling out of county. The plans will need the approval of the Welsh Government, who have previously also committed their support to the new hospital and facility.

Whilst I am pleased that all organisations have continued to commit their support to the project, I am disappointed with the pace of progress. The public consultation on the proposals which were scheduled for early 2024 have not yet began, and I don’t believe the Welsh Government or Powys Health Board have progressed plans as quickly as they had previously committed to.

Eluned Morgan says she wants to ‘listen’ to what the people of Wales priorities are. If the new First Minister is serious about ‘listening’ then all she needs to do is listen to the concerns from Mid Wales residents.

The changes are driven by financial pressures, but the Welsh Government needs to bring forward an adequate NHS workforce plan, so that the hundreds of millions that are spent on agency nursing, can be directed to frontline NHS services.

I have already taken up the local concerns with the Health Minister, but my priority on the return to the Senedd will be raising the pressing Mid Wales Health concerns we have.”