That this House expresses its profound concern at proposals being developed by Powys Teaching Health Board which could see inpatient beds removed from all but two community hospitals in Powys; notes that options under consideration reportedly include concentrating inpatient care at Brecon and Newtown, leaving hospitals in Ystradgynlais, Builth Wells, Knighton, Bronllys, Welshpool, Llanidloes, Llandrindod Wells and Machynlleth at risk of being downgraded or closed; further notes that, if implemented, these proposals would represent one of the most significant reductions in rural healthcare provision in Powys for a generation; recognises the vital role community hospitals play in providing rehabilitation, step-down care, outpatient services and treatment closer to home in one of the most rural counties in Wales; acknowledges the significant financial pressures facing Powys Teaching Health Board following years of underinvestment in rural healthcare; believes that patients in Powys already face unacceptable barriers to accessing healthcare, including long travel times and increasing difficulties accessing cross-border treatment; further believes that removing inpatient services from community hospitals would worsen health inequalities and place additional pressure on patients, carers, ambulance services and neighbouring hospitals; calls on Powys Teaching Health Board to ensure full transparency throughout its Better Together programme and to undertake genuine and meaningful public consultation before any decisions are taken; and further calls on the Welsh Government and the Cabinet Minister for Health and Social Care to intervene to safeguard equitable access to healthcare for the people of Powys and ensure that rural communities are not disproportionately disadvantaged.
