Improving Health Provision in Mid Wales
Updated: September 2024
Changes to Llanidloes Hospital and other Cottage hospitals
During August, Powys Teaching Health Board announced proposed temporary changes to the provision of services at local cottage hospitals. There is particular concern with a downgrading of services at Llanidloes War Memorial Hospital.
Following the announcement, I met with the CEO of Powys Teaching Health Board, Hayley Thomas, in which she confirmed to me that there will be no changes to the maternity unit in Llanidloes, There will be some minor changes to the criteria of patient care in the Palliative Care unit.
I also attended a very well attended public meeting in Llanidloes in August, in which residents from Llanidloes and the surrounding area attended.
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.
The current engagement and timeframe that the health board set out, would see changes take place from this Autumn. Given the significant concern and public interest, I have called for the health board to pause their current plans, so a formal and meaningful consultation can take place; the health board can set out their wider plans, and what it means for Llanidloes, and address the concerns raised at the meeting from the public and health professionals.
I have also taken up my concern with the Health Minister, Mark Drakeford MS, as I am concerned that the Health Board have not liaised with the Welsh Government on their plans.
New Mid Wales Health Facility
After many years of campaigning, a new 32 bed hospital and health facility will be built in Newtown and will work side-by-side with the current network of community hospitals in Machynlleth, Llanidloes and Welshpool and district general hospitals around our borders, this will ensure that we receive the right treatment much closer to home.
Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council are leading the North Powys Wellbeing Programme project. Both organisations, working with others, are continuing to develop plans. The plans will need the approval of the Welsh Government, who have previously also committed their support to the new hospital and facility. Plans are also being developed by Powys County Council for the replacement of a new school build, Ysgol Calon y Dderwen, which is currently on the site where the new health hub in Newtown will be located.
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.
Following meetings with the health board over the summer, I am now waiting for further details around timescales of the project which should be available soon. I remain hopeful that the new hospital will be progressed in 2026 / 2027 and that the new facility will lead to a much needed and improved health and wellbeing services in our area; with enhanced health checks and appointments being offered locally, with more minor operations being able to be delivered in Powys rather than having to travel out of county.
New Emergency Service Provision in Shrewsbury
Following the new UK Labour Government’s announcement of funding for some new hospitals being withdrawn, I was pleased this was not the case regarding the expansion and transformation programme at Shrewsbury Hospital, as the project had already begun. This is part of the wider plans for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to become the main emergency hospital centre serving north Powys, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin.
This is such a positive development for us in Mid Wales and as we will see improved life-saving emergency healthcare located in Shrewsbury. The services planned are more significant than a standard A&E department. The plans also mean the return of the women and children’s consultant-led inpatient service return to Shrewsbury, Head and neck department, critical care and the stroke unit is also being brought back to Shrewsbury.
The changes will mean that the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will specialise in Emergency Care and The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford will become a Planned Care centre. Both sites will have a 24-hour Urgent Care centre.
Final preparations and enabling works are taking place so that construction can begin on a new four-storey expansion of the health care facilities at the hospital. For those who have visited the hospital this year, you may have noticed disruption in connection with the improvement works.
Please be aware that due to the volume of construction at the site, changes are being made to how patients, visitors and staff access and enter the hospital. For example, the main outpatient’s entrance is currently closed with patients & visitors being redirected to the Treatment Centre entrance at the rear of the site. You can find out more and follow the latest updates at www.sath.nhs.uk
I also believe the plans will vastly reduce current A&E waiting times at both hospitals, as well as ambulance turnaround periods. The changes and investment will help the trust to continue to confront its wider challenges and make the necessary reforms to attract top class consultants and clinicians.
The new plans to build at Shrewsbury Hospital are significant. I am hugely encouraged by developments and hope to meet with the Programme Director for the Transformation soon. Members of the Hospital Transformation Programme from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will be in Welshpool Market for a roadshow event on Monday 9 December 2024 from 10am to 2pm for you to find out more.
GP Recruitment
Along with the British Medical Association Cymru Wales (BMA) I held an event in the Senedd in July 2024 in support of their campaign ‘Save our Surgeries’.
BMA Cymru launched their ‘Save our Surgeries’ campaign in June 2023. The Save Our Surgeries campaign asks Welsh Government to commit to a rescue package for General Practice, to provide GPs and their patients with the support they need. Survey data, which was shared with members of the Senedd at BMA Cymru Wales’ Save Our Surgeries event today, exposed an alarming 87% of GPs feared their rising workloads were impacting patient safety as Wales saw its 100th GP surgery close this year.
The BMA say that GPs are now seeing up to 35% more patients, leading to unsustainable workloads, and increasing instances of burnout and, many doctors have been forced to reduce their working hours to cope with the strain.
I was very glad to be able to sponsor this event in the Senedd held by BMA Cymru Wales, as we unite for a cause that is so important – the "Save Our Surgeries" campaign. Our GP surgeries are more than just buildings, GPs are often the first point of contact when people have a health concern. There is a critical need for investment in our healthcare infrastructure and it is of critical importance that we ensure that our surgeries have the resources they need to serve communities across Montgomeryshire effectively. Over recent years I have spoken to GP’s locally who have outlined to me directly the pressures they are under, and I am fully aware that many practices do not have the full complement of doctors that are needed to serve the population.