COLUMN: The heart of the matter
“Health services are a concern for all of us.
Our rurality means specialist centres are a long way. We don’t have ease of access to services and with an ever-older population, the fragility is clear.
That’s why I was pleased to support the judicial review application challenging the air ambulance decision to close Welshpool base. Let’s hope that common sense prevails.
In the meanwhile, Powys Health Board is facing huge financial pressures with a potential £22.9m current year deficit. As a result, changes are proposed to many of our cottage hospitals, a vital network throughout Powys. One of the challenges for Powys is the huge up-to-£12m annual cost of paying other health boards for looking after our patients whilst waiting for them to be transferred home.
Not only would having them nearer home be good for families but also save a huge resource for the Health Board.
My greatest concern is that the chancellor told the House of Commons that not enough funding was available to deliver the 40 hospitals pledge.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the total cost to deliver the remaining 37 schemes had been estimated at significantly over £20bn, but only £3.7bn had been allocated up to 24/25. Where does that leave the much-needed investment at Shrewsbury and Telford?
It is imperative that –
- The capital investment and upgrading of Shrewsbury hospital happens
- The investment of Newtown hospital and clinics happens
- Ensure the continuation of services at Bronglais
- Enhance the role of cottage hospitals at Machynlleth, Llanidloes, Newtown saving millions in paying other health boards
- Continue to highlight the importance of the air ambulance base at Welshpool
What is crystal clear is that the funding formula to Wales needs to be reviewed to properly reflect our needs. Even Lord Barnett, who created the system, said that in the 1970’s.
Also, the huge increase in value and income of the Crown Estate in Wales from offshore windfarms should come to Wales to fund our public services as happens in Scotland and not go directly to the Treasury.
Whilst Labour Government in Wales has supported such calls in the past, their lack of support for our air ambulance campaign and the budgetary cuts do not bode well for the future. We won’t let them forget their broken promises.
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