Powys Teaching Health Board has defended the controversial changes to local hospitals.

The changes which have been branded “disastrous” by local councils and GPs are set to be implemented fully next week and the health board has claimed they will allow for better overnight care.

The new system will see wards in Bronllys and Llanidloes War Memorial Hospital designated as “ready to go home units” a decision which has been criticised by local health professionals as it would lock out local patients from being treated near their homes and loved ones.

READ MORE: Bed-blocking patients 'can't move to Powys hospitals' after health board changes

However Powys Teaching Health Board has claimed that the new service will allow patients who are near going home to have better care.

Claire Roche, Executive Director of Nursing, Quality, Women and Children’s Health for Powys Teaching Health Board said: “Currently there are people in hospital who are well enough to go home but are unable to do so straight away. For example, they may be waiting for small changes to their home, or for a carer to help them.

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“Our Ready To Go Home Units in Bronllys and Llanidloes will provide a dedicated and supportive environment to help people stay as active as possible. We have designed these environments so that you can get up and move about as much as possible, and to join in with different activities either alone or in groups.

“Your family and friends are welcome to come and visit at any time – we don’t have set visiting hours. You are also free to go out with your visitors, into the gardens, or even out for a trip into town.”   

The move has been met with criticism from local GPs. Llanidloes GP, Dr Andy Raynsford, who was awarded the British Empire Medal for his service to the local community in the 2023, has warned this could lead to patients being taken far away for care and the “downgrading” of local wards.

However, Ms Roche has argued that “the number of community hospital beds and their locations remains unchanged across the county.

“But by giving a clearer focus to wards in Bronllys and Llanidloes as ‘Ready To Go Home’ units we can provide more focused care for people who are ready to go home but are waiting for a package of care in the community,” she added. “We can help people to remain mobile and active, which is important to reduce the risk of deconditioning in a hospital setting.

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“Similarly, we can ensure a faster recovery for more patients by strengthening the role of wards in Brecon and Newtown for the provision of specialised inpatient rehabilitation.

"This builds on their existing role as our centres for stroke rehabilitation.”

Issues have already been raised by Llanidloes Town Council who at the end of last month said they were “incredulous” after being told “four hospital beds available in Llanidloes War Memorial hospital and a further five in Bronllys” and that “local GPs have been told that they cannot allocate these to local patients”.