'Let us know' appeal on hospital

The hospital shut its minor injuries unit temporarily last year

Councillors have called for Powys Local Health Board (LHB) to ease concerns over the future of a community hospital.

Llanidloes Hospital is one of a number in the area under review and there are fears it could be closed or downgraded.

Councillor Gareth Morgan said plans for investment in the hospital have existed for years but nothing had happened.

The LHB said it was reviewing "strategic plans" and would put forward proposals on 2 August.

Mr Morgan, who represents Llanidloes on the county council, said the hospital was very important for the future health care of people in the area.

He said: "We have been promised development in the past, promised this, promised that. All sorts of expectations have been raised but as I understand it at the moment the whole future is in great peril.

I want to feel that I can trust the promises that they give us Councillor Gareth Morgan

"Quite honestly, the community is very despairing and very anxious.

"This is the most important public service that we receive and I know that the sooner we know what the future is, the better."

Llanidloes town councillor John Griffiths thinks the hospital is central to the life of the town.

He said: "I think people are waking up [to the fact that] there is a real threat to its future because there is reorganisation going on in Ceredigion and Shropshire and looking at the services in Montgomeryshire, places like Newtown are more centrally placed than Llanidloes, it's claimed."

He believes people in the town are prepared to fight hard to protect the hospital's future.

A public meeting is being held on 4 September at the town's community centre.

Staffing crisis

In a statement, the LHB said: "Powys Local Health Board, as part of its ongoing commitment to ensure patients throughout Powys receive the best possible care within the most appropriate environment, is reviewing its strategic plans on how healthcare will be delivered in the future.

"Proposals will be presented to the next board meeting on 2 August 2006."

Mr Morgan said: "I want to feel that I can trust the promises that they give us.

"They promise so much and fail to deliver. I have lost all trust and confidence in them.

"My message is: please be open and honest with us.

"If we can work together towards a common purpose, let's do so."

The LHB told the town's mayor in April that the hospital would not close but there were still worries it could lose some services.