8,000-signature petition handed to Health Board on decision day

A petition with nearly 8,000 signatures has been handed over to Powys Teaching Health Board ahead of today’s meeting to decide whether to downgrade Welshpool hospital and others across Powys.

PTHB wants to close the beds ward at the hospital, as well as the X-Ray facility and Minor Injuries Unit which will all move to a new health hub in Newtown.

It has been met with shock and anger and the Welsh Liberal Democrats launched a petition earlier in the summer when they got wind of the proposals, which have turned out to be much worse than anyone could have imagines.

Many fear that it is the start of the end for Welshpool Hospital, and others like it in places like Machynlleth and Llanidloes.

“We believe these would be hospital closures in all but name, forcing patients to travel even further for care,” the party stated in the petition.

This morning, the petition was handed over with 7,930 names to try and put pressure on the decision makers.

This is what PTHB said after receiving the petition.

Powys Teaching Health Board has welcomed the submission of the Save Our Hospital Beds petition as part of the ongoing conversation about the future of health and care services in Powys.

The petition, organised by the Welsh Liberal Democrats, has been received by the Health Board ahead of its meeting today, where members will consider whether to proceed to a wider public consultation on proposals developed through the Better Together programme.

Helen Bushell, Powys Teaching Health Board's Director of Corporate Governance, said: “We know that local health services matter deeply to the people of Powys, and we welcome the passion and commitment that communities continue to show.

“The submission of the Save Our Hospital Beds petition is an important opportunity for local people to make their views known, and we are pleased to receive it as part of the wider discussion about the future of health and care services in our county.

“We want to hear from communities, residents, patients, carers, staff and partners. Listening to different experiences, perspectives and ideas helps us better understand what matters most to the people we serve.

“We know there are a range of views about the challenges facing healthcare in Powys and how best to address them. Open and constructive discussion is an important part of ensuring any future decisions are as informed as possible.

“Whatever people's views may be, we are committed to listening and engaging respectfully throughout this process.”

“The Better Together programme has been developed in response to the challenges facing health and care services in Powys, including growing demand, workforce pressures and the need to deliver sustainable services for future generations.

“If the Health Board agrees to proceed to consultation, people from across Powys will have opportunities to learn more about the proposals and share their views through consultation events, online engagement and feedback activities.”