Welsh Government should intervene in health board crisis

The Welsh Government should step in to prevent Powys patients having operations delayed to save money.

On Friday MyNewtown reported how Powys Teaching Health Board has delayed a decision on asking neighbouring health authorities to reduce the number of procedures it undertakes on Powys patients.

This is part of a cost cutting plan to help reduce a projects £22 million deficit in the current financial year.

The health board has continued with a recruitment freeze and will attempt to reduce agency nurse costs.

Russell George, MS for Montgomeryshire, said the government must intervene.

He said: "These proposals should never have come forward in the first place. Many are now feeling anxious, and it is inexcusable that people may have to wait longer for treatment because of financial reasons.

"It would be ludicrous if people from Wales had to wait longer for an operation than English patients in the same hospital being treated by the same health professionals, simply because a Welsh NHS Health Board can’t afford to pay.

"People already endure long waits for treatment, often in pain and discomfort, and this is the last news they need to hear.
 
"The delay in taking a decision on this proposal we are told, is to give time for Powys Teaching Health Board to have further discussions with providers in England, but it is also an opportunity for the Minister to intervene.  The Welsh Government must act immediately to provide the funding and support needed."

He added: "In recent days I have raised these issues with the Health Secretary in the Senedd Chamber, and privately, and intend to speak to urgently on the matter."