Jane Dodds has asked the Welsh Government to provide more funding for Powys Teaching Health Board ahead of temporary cuts to healthcare services.

Lib Dem Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds has written to the Cabinet Secretary of Health and Social Care, Mark Drakeford urging him to reverse his demands for the health board to make substantial savings in operational costs ahead of the next annual budget.

The Welsh Government has asked Powys Teaching Health Board to make £22.9 million in savings, which includes proposed temporary cuts to opening hours at the minor injury units in Brecon and Llandrindod Wells hospitals.

Four hospitals will also take on a more specialised focus, with Bronllys and Llanidloes designated as “Ready To Go Home” units.

A petition has been launched against the proposed plans.

The health board says the proposals have come about because of budgetary pressures and staffing issues - and said the changes will be in place for six months.

In her letter to the Health Minister, Ms Dodds highlighted the various issues facing health care providers in Powys, stating that “As a rural health board, (it) faces unique challenges in delivering primary and secondary care.”

The Mid and West Wales MS also highlighted the lack of a district hospital in the county, creating a reliance on other hospitals for resident care which “complicates cost-saving efforts.”

Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds said: “I have written to the Welsh Government to call for urgent funding to be allocated to Powys Teaching Health Board. The unrealistic demands that have been made by the Health Minister have seen the Health Board propose cuts to the opening hours of minor injury units and the downgrading of services.

“Communities across Mid Wales are already forced to put up with extraordinarily long waiting times, ambulance delays and poor health outcomes. And now they are being asked to witness a further downgrading of their services with no promise that more cuts won’t be made in the near future.

“I am urgently calling on the Welsh Government to reassess Powys' situation and re-consider the demand for such substantial savings in light of these issues.”

When the Brecon & Radnor Express approached the Welsh Government last week on imposing cost-cutting measures and the subsequent proposed changes to healthcare services in Powys, they placed heavy blame on the previous UK Government.

“Our ability to invest in public services has been severely affected by the previous UK Government’s mismanagement of the economy and failure to commit sufficient resources to public finances over the last 14 years, including the devastating impact of a decade of austerity,” said a Welsh Government spokesperson.

The spokesperson said their budget was “£3bn lower” than it would have been had it grown in line with the economy since 2010.

“Despite this, we have prioritised funding for NHS Wales and are increasing funding for the NHS this year by more than four per cent, compared to less than one per cent in England,” they added.

The engagement period on the two temporary changes continues until September 8, and all the feedback received will be considered at a meeting of the health board on October 10.

You can have your say on the website: www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/temporary

Today’s letter from Ms Dodds follows Lib Dem colleague and Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick penning a letter yesterday to UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves for more healthcare funding.

Public meetings on the proposed changes are due to take place this week, organised by the Powys Lib Dems. They will take place in Brecon tonight (Wednesday) and Llandrindod Wells tomorrow (Thursday).