Petition against Powys hospital cuts reaches 10,000 signatures

A petition opposing proposed cuts to hospital beds and services in Powys has reached 10,000 signatures, increasing pressure on health chiefs over plans affecting Newtown, Welshpool and Llanidloes hospitals.

The petition to the Senedd, supported by Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr MP Steve Witherden, calls for an inquiry into rural healthcare before any changes are made to hospital beds or services across the county.

Nearly 90% of signatures have come from postcodes within the two Senedd constituencies covering Powys, highlighting the strength of local opposition to the proposals.

Reaching 10,000 signatures means the petition will now be considered for a debate in the Senedd under the Petitions Committee's procedures.

The petition comes amid growing concern over Powys Teaching Health Board's *Better Together* programme, which could see significant changes to community hospitals across the county.

Under the proposals, Newtown Hospital could become a main inpatient hub for north Powys, while hospitals in Welshpool and Llanidloes face the potential loss of inpatient beds.

The health board has been considering options to reorganise services as it faces mounting financial pressures and seeks to change how healthcare is delivered across the county.

However, opponents argue that reducing inpatient provision at community hospitals would leave patients and families facing longer journeys for treatment and visiting, particularly in rural areas where public transport is limited.

Mr Witherden has previously warned that all the options being considered would represent a downgrade in hospital provision for north Powys, despite Newtown potentially becoming a main inpatient centre.

The petition claims the proposals could leave Powys with as few as 60 community hospital beds, equivalent to one bed for every 2,250 residents, in a county without a district general hospital or hospice.

It calls on the Senedd and the Welsh Government's Health Minister to undertake a full inquiry and debate into rural healthcare provision before allowing any changes to the number of hospital beds, services or hospitals in Powys.

Mr Witherden said: “This is a small ray of light during troubling times for Powys residents. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has signed so far.

“The voices of residents from all across Mid Wales must be heard. No rubberstamping, no fait accompli consultation, no more hiding behind procedure – my constituents are demanding democratic oversight.

“These are slash-and-burn cuts and they must be stopped. We need an intervention. The Minister for Health and Care must step in before it is too late.”

Opposition to the proposals has also prompted public demonstrations, including a protest in Llanidloes and a public meeting in Machynlleth last week, both attended by Mr Witherden.

The health board maintains that changes to services are needed to address pressures on healthcare provision and develop a more sustainable model for the future.

However, the petition's growing support adds to calls for greater scrutiny of the proposals before decisions are taken on the future of community hospitals.

The Senedd's Petitions Committee, chaired by Gwynedd Maldwyn MS Elwyn Vaughan, will now consider the petition for a debate, although reaching the 10,000-signature threshold does not automatically guarantee one.

The petition can be viewed at https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/247123/map?view=constituencies&count=signatures