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Town fights hospital service cuts | Town fights hospital service cuts |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Nearly 500 people have attended a passionate public meeting in Builth Wells against plans to cut services at the town's community hospital. | Nearly 500 people have attended a passionate public meeting in Builth Wells against plans to cut services at the town's community hospital. |
An action group has been set up to fight plans by Powys Local Health Board (LHB) as it faces a £3.5m deficit. | An action group has been set up to fight plans by Powys Local Health Board (LHB) as it faces a £3.5m deficit. |
Vicar Philip Morris told the meeting people had lost trust in the LHB. | Vicar Philip Morris told the meeting people had lost trust in the LHB. |
The LHB, which has proposed cuts at Llanidloes, Knighton, Bronllys and Builth Wells, has said buildings are outdated and patients deserved better. | The LHB, which has proposed cuts at Llanidloes, Knighton, Bronllys and Builth Wells, has said buildings are outdated and patients deserved better. |
Write to Mansion Towers [LHB headquarters] or should I say Ivory Towers - no, Fawlty Towers The Reverend Philip Morris | Write to Mansion Towers [LHB headquarters] or should I say Ivory Towers - no, Fawlty Towers The Reverend Philip Morris |
Mr Morris, of Builth Against Closing Hospitals (Bach), told the BBC Wales News website: "We have spent two years talking with the LHB about a new hospital for Builth and then they totally withdrew the plans. | |
"We even received assurances up until July that we were going to have a new hospital. | "We even received assurances up until July that we were going to have a new hospital. |
"But since the LHB meeting in September we've lost total trust in them. We are prepared for change, but not like this." | "But since the LHB meeting in September we've lost total trust in them. We are prepared for change, but not like this." |
During a rousing speech at Thursday night's meeting in the Strand Theatre, Mr Morris urged people to write to the LHB's chairman and chief executive. | During a rousing speech at Thursday night's meeting in the Strand Theatre, Mr Morris urged people to write to the LHB's chairman and chief executive. |
"Write to Mansion Towers [the LHB's headquarters is Mansion House] or should I say Ivory Towers - no, Fawlty Towers," he joked. | "Write to Mansion Towers [the LHB's headquarters is Mansion House] or should I say Ivory Towers - no, Fawlty Towers," he joked. |
The group has started a fighting fund to save the hospital | The group has started a fighting fund to save the hospital |
Dr Richard Walters, GP at Builth and Llanwrtyd Wells Medical Practice, called on people in the town to get behind the campaign to save the hospital. | Dr Richard Walters, GP at Builth and Llanwrtyd Wells Medical Practice, called on people in the town to get behind the campaign to save the hospital. |
He said the assembly government's 10-year health care plan, Design for Life, meant some district general hospitals would be downgraded and some community hospitals would close to pay for specialist treatment in city hospitals. | He said the assembly government's 10-year health care plan, Design for Life, meant some district general hospitals would be downgraded and some community hospitals would close to pay for specialist treatment in city hospitals. |
He added: "This is fine if you live in a city, but not good if you live in rural Powys, miles and miles from acute hospital services. | He added: "This is fine if you live in a city, but not good if you live in rural Powys, miles and miles from acute hospital services. |
"Our LHB, a rural LHB, should know better." | "Our LHB, a rural LHB, should know better." |
He said changes to health care in Wales would mean excellence in the cities and third world medicine in Powys. | He said changes to health care in Wales would mean excellence in the cities and third world medicine in Powys. |
Birthing centre | Birthing centre |
Bach has started a fighting fund to save the hospital and it has also begun a petition which so far has received 1,500 signatures. | Bach has started a fighting fund to save the hospital and it has also begun a petition which so far has received 1,500 signatures. |
Builth is one of four community hospitals facing closure | Builth is one of four community hospitals facing closure |
Thursday's meeting also passed a vote of no confidence in the chair and chief executive of the LHB, and Bach said it would inform assembly health minister Brian Gibbons. | Thursday's meeting also passed a vote of no confidence in the chair and chief executive of the LHB, and Bach said it would inform assembly health minister Brian Gibbons. |
Builth Wells is the latest community to stage a meeting in protest at the LHB's plans for hospitals in Powys. | Builth Wells is the latest community to stage a meeting in protest at the LHB's plans for hospitals in Powys. |
Last month, up to 1,000 people formed a human ring in the "hands around Llanidloes hospital" demonstration. In September, about 800 people turned out at a meeting in the town in a show of concern. | Last month, up to 1,000 people formed a human ring in the "hands around Llanidloes hospital" demonstration. In September, about 800 people turned out at a meeting in the town in a show of concern. |
At Llanidloes, the LHB plans to cut 18 beds, close an X-ray unit, a birthing centre and outpatient services. | At Llanidloes, the LHB plans to cut 18 beds, close an X-ray unit, a birthing centre and outpatient services. |
Bronllys, near Brecon, and Knighton could lose GP beds and maternity services, while 12 GP beds, outpatient and X-ray services could be cut at Builth Wells. | Bronllys, near Brecon, and Knighton could lose GP beds and maternity services, while 12 GP beds, outpatient and X-ray services could be cut at Builth Wells. |
The LHB did not comment prior to the meeting, but in September its chief executive Andy Williams said he understood people's attachment to their hospital. | The LHB did not comment prior to the meeting, but in September its chief executive Andy Williams said he understood people's attachment to their hospital. |
He added: "We must not allow ourselves to measure the effectiveness of health services by the number of hospital beds and by bricks and mortar. | He added: "We must not allow ourselves to measure the effectiveness of health services by the number of hospital beds and by bricks and mortar. |
"Some of our current buildings are outdated and we believe that the people of Powys deserve better." | "Some of our current buildings are outdated and we believe that the people of Powys deserve better." |