Powys Teaching Health Board have been considering options that could see Powys patients waiting longer for treatment, in order to help alleviate financial pressures.
A meeting of Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) took place on Friday 10 January 2025 to consider additional measures to address its financial position.
The Health Board have said that, approaching the end of 2024/2025, the financial climate for the NHS across the UK remains very challenging. This is reflected in Powys.
At the meeting, PTHB considered several additional measures that could be taken before the end of March 2025. These include asking hospital providers in England to slow down the delivery of planned care activity, particularly outpatient appointments and inpatient procedures.
The Board endorsed that further discussions should take place with providers of planned care services in England, in order to further develop the assessment of potential savings. A final decision will be made by PTHB in public, at a future date. In the meantime, PTHB have advised patients to continue attending appointments as normal.
Montgomeryshire MS Russell George has said that The Welsh Government must act immediately to provide the funding and support needed.
Commenting on the decision, Montgomeryshire MS Russell George 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.
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”
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