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February 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to my February 2025 Newsletter.
It's been a fast start to the year, with health issues dominating my work and also the news agenda.
As ever, if you would like an update on something not mentioned in my newsletter, or I can help in another way, please email me at [email protected] or call my office at 01686 610887.
Plans Dropped to make Powys Patients wait for Treatment
Russell George MS raises Powys Health Board's Proposals with the First Minister.
In early January, it was revealed that Powys Teaching Health Board were considering measures to address financial pressures. Among the proposals was a plan to ask health providers in England to slow down the delivery of planned care treatment for Powys patients.
Last week, In a meeting of the Health Board, they agreed to drop the proposals. Whilst this is welcome news, these measures should never have been suggested in the first place. It would have been ludicrous if patients from Wales were forced to wait longer for treatment due to financial constraints, especially when there is sufficient capacity to treat those patients within NHS hospitals just over the border.
Over recent weeks I had discussions with the First Minister, Health Minister, and Powys Teaching Health Board, to encourage all parties to agree a way forward that would lead to these plans not being implemented. My focus know is to bring about challenge, to ensure our local Health Board is adequately funded, so this threat does not present itself in the future.
My full update explains in more detail about how we got to this position.
Wales Air Ambulance Decision Challenged in Court
Following an application for judicial review that was issued at the High Court last year, a hearing took place over two days last month that challenged the decision to close the Welshpool Air Ambulance Base.
The legal team that we as a campaign group have been working with argued that the decision lacked transparency, failed to consider the unique needs of rural communities, and challenged the process that led to the decision.
I have been impressed with the legal firm who are working on our behalf. The hearing was originally scheduled to take place over two days in January but will now continue later this week. A judge will then make a determination at a later date. Whilst we don’t know if we will be successful or not, there is good reason to feel positive about the outcome of this challenge.
Stroke services at Bronglais
Russell George MS raises acute stroke service proposals with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.
During January I raised the proposals to downgrade acute stroke services at Bronglais Hospital with the Health Secretary.
It is completely unreasonable to expect patients in Powys who have suffered from a stroke, to be transferred to Withybush Hospital or Llanelli.
Public Bus Services
Powys County Council is currently consulting on proposals that would lead to changes to local bus services. The council have said that they are seeking the views of current and future bus users on a new proposed bus timetable, to create a revised service for Powys residents. However, residents have raised concerns with me that proposed changes would lead to a reduction in service in some areas, and some communities will be negatively impacted.
I raised the proposals with the First Minister last week, as she had recently spoken of her ambition to transform bus services in rural area.
I informed the First Minister that constituents have been contacting me following concerns that some services may no longer continue. Many people depend on services like the X75 service between Llanidloes and Shrewsbury, and services between Oswestry and Welshpool, to attend medical appointments and travel to work.
You can respond to the consultation here:
https://www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/powys-local-bus-network-consultation
Local Produce Celebrated
I was delighted to be invited to attend the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) annual Farmhouse Breakfast Week, also marking 70 years since the union’s formation in 1955.
Montgomeryshire is built on the dedication of many hard-working farming families, and the FUW’s Farmhouse Breakfast Week is a wonderful way to bring people together to celebrate this and promote local food.
It was fantastic to enjoy a breakfast which included meat supplied by Graig Farm Organics, black pudding by Williams Family Butchers of Llanidloes and eggs from Tyn Celyn Eggs, Dolwen. I would like to thank the Farming Union for organising such a well-run campaign.
There are significant challenges facing the industry and events like this that bring about informal discussions between farming unions, local farmers, and politicians, are crucial.
Drop in and Advice Surgeries
Over 50 people attended my Drop in event held at Llanrhaeadr Public Hall on the 24th January, issues raised included concerns in regards to proposals for a new National Park, and you can read more on the issues here https://www.russellgeorge.com/campaigns/concern-creation-national-park.
I hold surgeries in my Welshpool and Newtown office most Fridays, if you would like to meet with me, please contact me to make an appointment.
I will be holding a drop-in surgery at Caersws village hall on Friday 21 February between 4.30 – 6.30, no appointment is needed. If you would like to meet with me in any of the other areas below, please contact me.
Promoted by Russell George MS, 13 Parkers Lane, Newtown, SY16 2LT
The costs of this publication have been met by the Senedd Commission from public funds.
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