Shropshire Star

Brecon and Radnorshire politician calls for Welsh Government to cover Powys health funding shortfall.

Brecon and Radnorshire politician calls for Welsh Government to cover Powys health funding shortfall.

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Brecon and Radnorshire Senedd Member James Evans calls for Welsh Government to cover Powys health funding shortfall.
Brecon and Radnorshire Senedd Member James Evans calls for Welsh Government to cover Powys health funding shortfall.

Brecon and Radnorshire Senedd Member James Evans MS has called on the Welsh Labour Government to cover Powys Teaching Health Board’s £9.9 million funding shortfall to prevent deliberate extensions to waiting times of up to 11 weeks for patients in Mid Wales.

The extra weeks would be on top of the record waiting lists the Welsh NHS is currently experiencing.

James made the call after the health board held an extraordinary meeting to discuss a raft of actions to save £9.9 million by the end of March on Friday.

As Powys has no district general hospital, nearly half of patients in the area receive their care in England.

The Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care James Evans MS said: “Today’s meeting of Powys Teaching Health Board revealed the severe financial pressures threatening healthcare in Powys. 

“The Board is considering drastic measures, including slowing planned care in England a move that would harm patients already waiting too long for treatment. 

"While a final decision has been delayed to gather more information, the fact that this is even being considered is deeply concerning.

“This is unacceptable. The Welsh Government must act immediately to provide the funding and support needed to prevent such damaging actions. Patients in Powys should not pay the price for financial mismanagement and inaction from Cardiff Bay.

“I will not stand by while our communities are left behind. Patients should attend appointments as normal, but I will be demanding urgent action from the Welsh Government to protect healthcare in Powys.

“I am encouraging all constituents to join with me, in calling on Jeremy Miles MS, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to step in to stop this from happening his email is: Correspondence.Jeremy.Miles@gov.wales”