GPs have been told that they cannot allocate beds in Powys hospitals to patients who are 'bed blocking' in hospital.

Llanidloes Town Council told residents that the "downgrade disaster begins" after being told that due to the “disastrous decision” made by Powys Teaching Health Board last month, doctors haven’t been able to allocate four beds in the town’s hospital and a further five in Bronllys, near Brecon, to local patients.

The town council said it understood that staff at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, where local patients are being cared for, are “incredulous” with the situation.

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Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) said it was working hard to respond to a number of challenges facing the NHS and patients in the county.

In a statement issued on October 31, Llanidloes Town Council said: “We have been informed that due to the disastrous decision made by PTHB on the 10th October and that even though there are currently four hospital beds available in Llanidloes War Memorial hospital and a further five in Bronllys, local GPs have been told that they cannot allocate these to local patients.

“Said patients are therefore currently stuck, bed blocking in Bronglais even though there are beds available for them here. We understand that staff at Bronglais are as incredulous at the situation as we are.

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“Clearly the second-rate decision making at PTHB didn't account for this.  As you are aware we have indicated that we have no confidence in PTHB to deliver local health service and demand their resignation and removal.

“Obviously, we're deeply concerned and will continue to monitor. We really feel for our local people who are now genuine victims of the second-rate minds at PTHB.”

In response, a spokesperson for Powys Teaching Health Board said: " We are working hard to respond to a number of challenges facing the NHS and patients in Powys.

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“Following careful and conscientious consideration the Board has agreed a number of measures to address these challenges, including the temporary designation of two Ready To Go Home units - one in Llanidloes and one in Bronllys.

“These temporary changes will be in place for six months and will be subject to clinical review and evaluation which will include key measures relating to patient experience so that we are able to support more patients to return home more quickly and reduce the risks from deconditioning during a prolonged stay in hospital.

“A key goal of these temporary changes is to reduce delays in bringing patients back into Powys from hospitals outside the county, and we continue to work closely with neighbouring health boards and Trusts to achieve this."