Health shocker as Powys waiting times delay set to be introduced afterall
In an email briefing distributed Tuesday to local politicians and leaders, which has been read by MyWelshpool, PTHB said that the plan is being discussed again today (Wednesday) at a public board meeting after the sheer extent of the health board’s financial woe was revealed.
Explaining the reasoning behind its reconsideration, PTHB said: “You will recall that the Board agreed in January 2025 that this would not be implemented as an in-year measure during 2024/25. However, we were clear at that time that difficult choices remained, and that the development of our plan for 2025/26 would need to be affordable to the public purse.
“We clearly recognise that these are complex decisions, reflecting the vital importance of living within our means, offering an equitable approach to waiting times across Powys in line with Welsh Government targets, but also mindful of the experience and perception for patients given our cross-border pathways with England.”
It means that a Powys patient waiting for certain treatments at the two hospitals, will be waiting longer than the same patient in Shropshire.
The move has drawn an angry response from those who were only alerted to the plans last night.
Cllr Joy Jones, the Powys anti-poverty campaign, was fuming and told us: “It is important to make people aware that they’re going to be kicked in the teeth again.
“It is so sad that the health board find themselves back in this situation. This has a dreadful impact on people’s health and well-being it’s affects the economy of Wales because people will not be able to work if they’re waiting and then off on the sick. It’s dreadful.”
Meanwhile, Member of the Senedd, Russell George, said he was “deeply concerned”.
“During January it was revealed that Powys Teaching Health Board were considering measures to address financial pressures. Among the proposals was a deeply concerning plan asking health providers in England to slow down the delivery of planned care treatment, including outpatient appointments and inpatient procedures for Powys patients. The plans were later dropped. Now it seems, the Health board wants to place the proposal back on the table again.
“We in Powys rely on hospitals across the border in England and this proposal risks creating an unjust disparity, where Welsh patients would wait longer than their English counterparts - even though Welsh and English patients are treated by the same healthcare professionals within the same hospital.
“These measures should not even have been suggested. It would be ludicrous if patients from Wales are forced to wait longer for treatment due to financial constraints, especially when there is sufficient capacity to treat those patients within NHS hospitals just over the border.
“Many are already enduring long waits in pain and discomfort. If proposals are agreed, it could mean hospital waiting times would be extended by many weeks for Powys residents. This is unacceptable.
“When I raised the need for greater financial support with the First Minister, she informed me that it would not be acceptable for Powys patients to wait longer than English Counterparts when being treated in England.
“Given the First Minister’s response to me, the question she and the Health Minister now need to address is how the Government will ensure the Health Board is fully funded to a point where it is able to buy healthcare capacity in England based on English waiting times, rather than the much longer NHS waiting times here in Wales.”
The meeting is being held online from 9.30am for the public to view, and you can click here to watch
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