Wales’ independent health and social care voice body has called for people across Powys to be given a genuine opportunity to influence major proposals that could reshape NHS services across the county.
Llais has set out its expectations ahead of a formal public consultation by Powys Teaching Health Board on its Better Together programme, which covers adult physical health, adult mental health, urgent care and some diagnostic services.
The health board agreed on Wednesday, September 16, to move the proposals to public consultation, with the process due to run from October 5, 2026 until January 10, 2027.
The plans could result in significant changes to the way healthcare is delivered across one of Wales’ largest and most rural counties.
While Powys Teaching Health Board says all of its community hospital sites would continue to provide services under the options being considered, the proposals envisage inpatient beds being provided at fewer locations in future.
The health board argues that this would be accompanied by stronger community healthcare, allowing more patients to receive support in their own homes or closer to where they live.
Proposals also include the creation of Urgent Care Centres operating between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week. These would offer a wider range of assessment, treatment and diagnostic services than existing Minor Injury Units.
Mental health provision is also included in the consultation, with proposals to strengthen community mental health and crisis services while creating a single centre of excellence for organic and functional mental health inpatient care in the Bronllys and Brecon area.
Rural Access And Travel Expected To Be Key Issues
Llais, which represents the views and experiences of people using health and social care services in Wales, has previously highlighted concerns raised by Powys residents about access to healthcare, travel distances, public transport, local services and cross-border care.
The organisation has stressed the importance of consultation being accessible to communities throughout the county and of residents being able to understand both the proposals and their potential consequences.
This is particularly significant in Powys, where patients can already face substantial journeys to access hospital treatment and where many residents rely on NHS services outside the county, including across the border in England.
Llais has previously raised concerns with the health board over the clarity of the Better Together process, including how options were developed and how members of the public would be able to influence the eventual outcome.
Its position has been that public involvement must go beyond simply collecting responses, with residents able to see how their experiences and concerns have been considered when final decisions are made.
Health Board Says No Final Decisions Have Been Made
Powys Teaching Health Board has stressed that agreeing to consultation does not mean decisions have already been taken.
Instead, it says the consultation will allow patients, residents, carers, NHS staff and other organisations to examine the evidence, identify potential impacts and suggest alternatives before the board determines how services should develop.
The health board says the proposals have been drawn up in response to growing pressures on local NHS services, including an ageing population, increasing numbers of people living with multiple long-term health conditions and difficulties recruiting and retaining enough staff to maintain small services across a geographically large area.
Its Better Together programme is looking at how services should operate over the next decade and beyond, with a greater emphasis on prevention, community healthcare and helping people remain independent.
The consultation will include 13 locality drop-in events across Powys as well as online sessions, giving residents opportunities to question health board representatives and discuss the proposals.
For communities affected by any eventual changes, however, the coming months are likely to be crucial.
Llais is encouraging people across Powys to examine the proposals and participate in the consultation so that local experiences — including the realities of travelling for treatment and accessing healthcare in rural communities — form part of the evidence considered before decisions are taken.