Home / Health / Wales Rural Hospitals Face Bed Cuts
Wales Rural Hospitals Face Bed Cuts
4 Nov
Summary
- Powys could lose hundreds of community hospital beds.
- Health board cites safety and sustainability for proposed changes.
- Rural residents and officials strongly oppose the service reductions.
Proposals to reduce community hospital beds in rural Powys, Wales, are generating significant resistance. The Powys Teaching Health Board is considering cutting inpatient beds from 146 to either 90 or 60, possibly leading to the closure of wards in Welshpool, Machynlleth, Ystradgynlais, and Llanidloes, with Llandrindod Wells also potentially affected. The health board states these changes are essential for service safety and sustainability, citing difficulties in staffing and delivering care across a large area.
A 14-week public consultation is currently underway, but opposition from GPs, politicians, and communities is already strong. Concerns are particularly high due to Powys having one of Wales' oldest populations, with over a quarter of residents aged 65 or older. The health board estimates average travel times to inpatient care could double from 12 to 24 minutes, with some journeys exceeding 45 minutes.
Beyond bed reductions, the health board's 'Better Together' program includes proposed changes to urgent care and mental health services. Options for urgent care involve establishing Urgent Care Centres in Newtown and Brecon, with varying Minor Injury Unit provisions. Adult mental health services may consolidate at a single site. The consultation period concludes on January 10, 2027.
