From the 1st September, Powys Teaching Health Board have implemented cuts to our Minor Injury Unit opening times at Brecon and Llandrindod Wells War Memorial Hospitals. This is a bitter blow for everyone in Brecon and Radnorshire. This say this move is temporary for 6 months, but I think otherwise.
Healthcare is an issue in Powys with poor ambulance response times, difficulty in getting a GP appointment, and excessive journey times to get to the nearest A&E dept, only to then face very long waits. To reduce our Minor Injury capacity at this time will only put more pressure on all parts of the NHS, particularly our GPs and A&Es.
I have met with Chief Executive Hayley Thomas to express my concerns and demand she seek cuts to management and back office before slashing frontline services. They cite budgetary pressures as the reason and say the numbers attending overnight did not provide value for money. I beg to differ. This service cannot be measured in price tags. We all know someone who's life has been saved by the amazing nursing staff at our MIUs.
One positive to come out of this is the strengthening of stroke rehabilitation services one the wards at Brecon War Memorial Hospital. I have long called for there to be more rehabilitation services closer to home, but this should not be at the expense of other services. We must see what impact the plans for a “Ready to Go Home” unit will have on Llewelyn Ward in Bronllys and the staff that work there. We cannot afford to lose any beds and nursing staff.
Our MIUs offer excellence service, and we must all have our say if we are to get the Health Board to change their minds. Powys Teaching Health Board have carried out a consultation on the changes, but this was only for a few weeks and is now closed. But it is never too late to have your say. I urge everyone to write or email the Health Board to have your say. We must all come together to protect our healthcare services. I will do all I can to protect our frontline health services here in Powys.
