Powys councillors have called for talks with the county's health board over planned changes to community hospitals that some medics have called a 'downgrade by stealth'.

Dyfi Valley Health, near Machynlleth and Arwystli Medical Practice near Llanidloes have both publicly opposed proposals by Powys Teaching Health Board to shake up hospitals by asking them to take on more specialised roles.

The health board has produced the plans in an effort to help people get home from hospital quicker, with Bronllys and Llanidloes hospitals designated “Ready To Go Home” units.

Brecon and Newtown would be for patients who need more specialised inpatient rehabilitation, Powys Teaching Health Board says.

Now Plaid Cymru councillors Cllr Elwyn Vaughan and Cllr Gary Mitchell, along with Lib Dems Cllr Gareth Morgan and Cllr Glyn Preston, have jointly asked the health board for a meeting to "clarify" the situation, particularly in relation to Llanidloes and Machynlleth's hospitals.

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Cllr Morgan and Cllr Preston represent Llanidloes on the council, while Cllr Vaughan's ward is Glantwymyn near Machynlleth, and Cllr Mitchell's is Llanbrynmair and Trefeglwys.

"I'm deeply concerned about the proposed changes and want clarification as there's a great deal of uncertainty and concern in our communities," Cllr Vaughan said.

"I appreciate the financial pressure the health board is under but what this confirms again is the need to review and change the Barnett funding formula for Wales to properly reflect our needs.

"The Crown Estate as per Scotland should be devolved so that the huge increase in income generated by windfarms benefits Welsh public services rather than go to the Treasury and Crown."

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The trio say they have also asked that all the community councils in the area are also included in a meeting, should one take place, and Cllr Vaughan added he hoped to hold talks with the health board in August.

Last week Dyfi Valley Health warned the changes would be “downgrading our community hospital wards by stealth” and raised concerns over issues for Welsh speaking patients.

Powys Teaching Health Board has said the proposals “reduce unnecessary extended stays in hospital, so that patients are able to return to their home including a care home”.

Last week, a spokesperson for Powys Teaching Health Board said: “Too many patients are spending too long in hospital. This increases the likelihood of 'deconditioning' where patients lose muscle strength, lose the ability to take care of themselves, and become disoriented.

“This can make it more difficult to return to their previous levels of activity and functioning when they return home, and can increase the chances of readmission to hospital.

“Also, it is difficult to reach out to all parts of a large rural county with the specialist skills needed for the best multi-disciplinary care, and there is too much reliance on very expensive agency staffing.”

You can have your say on the changes here.