Russell George MS has questioned how much funding Powys Teaching Health Board will receive from an additional £50m announced by the Welsh Government last week.
At the Welsh Labour Party Conference last week, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeremy Miles MS, announced that £50m would be made available immediately to health boards to increase capacity in the NHS in Wales and to commission activity from the private sector where available.
The Government has said that the focus will remain on reducing the longest waits for treatment, cutting waiting times for diagnostic tests, and increasing capacity in outpatient departments.
Drawing attention to the recent Welsh Government announcement of additional funding for health boards to address the longest NHS waiting times, Russell George MS, Member of the Senedd for Montgomeryshire, has questioned the Cabinet Secretary for Health on how much of the £50m will be allocated to Powys Teaching Health Board.
Mr George said that the pressures on the health board are extreme. The Senedd Member also highlighted the significant waiting lists in some areas and drew attention to the downgrading of Llanidloes Hospital, which he said is a result of funding pressures on the health board.
The Montgomeryshire MS, who is also Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee in the Senedd, further emphasised the importance of cross-border cooperation between England and Wales. He stressed that direct funding is critical, as Powys Teaching Health Board must provide financial support to health providers in England for Powys residents who use services across the border.
In response, the Cabinet Secretary for Health said that Powys would receive a portion of the £3m allocated to tackle children’s neurodiversity waiting times. He went on to clarify that the remaining funding would be directed to health boards with the longest waiting times.
Commenting after the exchange in the Senedd on Wednesday (27/11/24), Mr George said:
“This is the second time I have asked for a straight answer regarding how much funding Powys Teaching Health Board can expect to receive from the £50m announced. It’s also the second time that the Cabinet Secretary hasn’t provided me with an answer.
“Powys residents do not deserve to be waiting in pain on waiting lists, and Powys Teaching Health Board deserves the same support as other parts of Wales.
“Powys Teaching Health Board has announced temporary changes to the provision of services at local cottage hospitals. There is particular concern about the downgrading of services at Llanidloes Hospital. We are told that these downgrades are driven by financial constraints, so it is imperative that Powys receives its fair share of funding.
“I remain committed to holding the Welsh Government accountable for equitable healthcare provision, ensuring that rural communities like Powys are not left behind.”
