One of Powys’ most respected doctors has said proposed changes to local hospitals would “downgrade” standards of care.

Llanidloes GP, Dr Andy Raynsford, who was awarded the British Empire Medal for his service to the local community in the 2023 New Year Honours list, says proposals to change Powys hospitals would lead to patients being taken far away for care and the “downgrading” of local wards.

“This is going to end up with patients being possibly relocated in hospitals quite some distance from where their relatives live,” said Dr Raynsford.

“Given the difficulty in transport, they may not be able to access their relatives to visit them.

“The proposed changes where they are seeing rehabilitation hubs in two hospitals, Newtown and Brecon, is going to lead to potential downgrading of wards elsewhere.

“Particularly Bronllys and Llanidloes, where they are intended to be ready to go patients - those who are ready to be discharged.

“This could give the health board the potential to reduce staffing numbers on the ward because the patients are not a high acuity – this will lead to the de-skilling of the nurses and the downgrading of the ward.”

READ MORE: Powys medical centres fear hospital plans are 'downgrade by stealth'

Dr Raynsford said where he works, at Arwystli Medical Practice, are “aggressive in treating patients locally” so they can be near relatives and reduce demand on district hospitals which he describes as “massively important”.

“We have not been informed that there will be any limits as to where the patients may be placed,” said Dr Raynsford.

“Patients are concerned that once the ability to be able to look after more acutely unwell patients is lost, this will lead to a downgrading of the ward by itself.

OTHER NEWS:

“Then, possibly, as has happened elsewhere such as Tregaron, this could lead to the closure of the hospital. This is a huge concern to the community who have done so much to support this hospital over many, many years including the previous attempt to close it in 2006.

“They have been very supportive of the development of the palliative care suite, they raised well in excess on £100,000.”

Dr Raynsford also raised concerns over the public engagement and how Powys Teaching Health Board’s approach – as no GP practice was informed until July 17, with staff at the hospital finding out even later and no meeting was given until the week the news was announced (July 24).

 “It seems to be a fait accompli with an extremely short time of engagement with the public," he added. “The process is flawed, what they should do is step back and engage properly with clinicians, with the public and the partner organisations as well – so it ends up with the wards being optimised to provide the best care they can.”

“We have spoken to representatives of the health board. We have had the medical director come to see us, the local medical committee has also been in touch with the health board as well. I have to say we haven’t had any reassurance from those consultations.

“At present we are co-ordinating as part of the GP collaborative in North Powys in response to this as well – working with other practices in the north to give united front to oppose these proposals.”

A spokesperson for Powys Teaching Health Board said: “The NHS across the UK, and locally in Powys, faces a number of challenges to maintain quality, safety, outcomes and financial sustainability for patients and communities.  

"Waiting times for planned care increased during the COVID pandemic and remain high. Inflationary pressures affect the whole of the public sector, increasing the costs of service delivery. More people are living longer with multiple health conditions. And there are pressures on staffing, including that the proportion of people of working age is reducing.

“Powys Teaching Health Board is therefore taking some immediate steps to help maintain quality services within available resources, and a number of temporary changes to services provided by Powys Teaching Health Board are due to take place from September 2024.

“A period of engagement with patients, the public, staff and stakeholders is taking place during the summer to explain the temporary changes and invite feedback. Further details are available from the health board’s engagement hub at www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/temporary with engagement taking place until Sunday 25 August."