Just one day after First Minister Eluned Morgan expressed relief over Powys Teaching Health Board shelving controversial plans to slow elective surgeries, the board has now approved those very plans.
In a Senedd exchange yesterday (Tuesday), MS for Brecon and Radnorshire James Evans sought assurances from the Welsh Government that Powys patients needing elective surgery in England wouldn’t face prolonged delays.
The First Minister said she was “very pleased” that the health board had decided not to go through with the proposals back in January.
She told Mr Evans: “There are ongoing discussions between the Health Secretary and the health board to make sure that they are able not only to deliver for the people of Powys but also to deliver within the budget constraints we've set out.
“We have bailed out health boards year after year. That time is finished.
“They need to manage their finances much better because otherwise every other department has to bail them out.
“Enough. That's not happening any longer. It's really important that Powys takes that seriously.
“They're having to make very difficult decisions - we understand that. The demands on the health service are really enormous.
“But I was pleased to see that they'd pulled back from that suggestion that they were going to follow through.”
Mr Evans told the First Minister: “The health board does remain in special measures due to financial difficulties.
“The problems haven't gone away, and there's still anxiety within my constituency that this proposal might come round again.”
And that warning has materialised today, with the health board approving the extended waiting times for Powys patients seeking treatment in England.
Speaking following today’s announcement, Mr Evans said: “The Welsh Government needs to get a grip on our health boards and step in to protect the patients of Powys.
“The First Minister has previously said that health boards should not be delaying treatment for patients across the border, yet this is exactly what Powys are doing.
“I have submitted an urgent question to the Welsh Government on what they can do to stop Powys patients suffering.”
The decision comes as the health board grapples with a £38.4 million projected deficit for 2025/26.
The changes mean patients referred to hospitals in England will now face longer waits before receiving care, as the health board moves to commission treatment in line with NHS Wales waiting time targets.
Under the new plan, Powys patients could face delays of up to two years for certain treatments.