Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, is calling on Hywel Dda Health Board to extend its stakeholder listening sessions to take in the views of patients living in Montgomeryshire.
The comments from Mr George, come within days of the intervention made by Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths AM, to diffuse on-going tensions between the Health Board, clinicians, politicians and community groups regarding the modernisation of local health services in the Mid and West Wales region and the future of Bronglais Hospital.
Currently, Hywel Dda are conducting a series of stakeholder listening sessions, which will allow members of the public and community groups the chance to have their say on future services and help shape final consultation plans. However, Mr George has raised concerns that no sessions will be taking place in Montgomeryshire, potentially marginalising a large patient group in the west of the county who rely heavily on the services that the Health Board provides.
Mr George said:
“I do welcome the climb-down the Health Minister made last week. Despite her initial protestations that she would not get involved, she had to intervene to stop this process spiralling into regional chaos.
“What she reiterated to Mr Chris Martin (Chair of Hywel Dda Health Board) was very clear, she expects the Health Board will listen to and engage with clinicians, patients and the local community in drawing up their plans to improve services.
“However, the Health Board’s current position means that public engagement seems to be stopping at the Montgomeryshire boarder.
“Patients in the west of the county, rely on the vital services that Bronglais Hospital provides. Yet at present, there is not one session due to be staged in Montgomeryshire, which is excluding and alienating thousands of people. They must have the opportunity to shape the services that affect them.
“That is why I am calling on Hywel Dda Health Board to not only extend the time period that these exercises are due to take place but to also include at least two sessions in Montgomeryshire – in Machynlleth and Llanidloes – to allow my constituents a say in what they want to see from future local health services in the region.”
