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Valentine's 'love hospitals' demo Valentine's 'love hospitals' demo
(about 6 hours later)
Campaigners fighting planned health service cuts in Powys are uniting in a Valentine's Day "We love our hospitals" demonstration. Campaigners fighting planned health service cuts in Powys have united in a Valentine's Day "We love our hospitals" demonstration.
Protesters will release heart-shaped balloons and present a 7,000-name petition at Powys Local Health Board's headquarters at Bronllys, Brecon. Protesters released heart-shaped balloons and presented a 7,000-name petition at Powys local health board's headquarters at Bronllys, near Brecon.
Action groups have been set up to fight proposals by the health board as it faces a £3.5m deficit. The board has said its buildings are outdated and patients deserved better.
It plans cuts at Llanidloes, Knighton, Bronllys and Builth Wells hospitals. It faces a £3.5m deficit and plans cuts at Llanidloes, Knighton, Bronllys and Builth Wells hospitals.
Protest organisers said smaller demos would be held in each of the four areas in the morning before the main event at the board's offices, in Bronllys, on Wednesday afternoon. Protest organisers said smaller demos were held in each of the four areas in the morning before the main event at the board's offices, in Bronllys, on Wednesday afternoon.
As well as releasing 100 balloons, campaigners will present Valentine cards to medical staff working at the community hospital nearby in appreciation of their work. As well as releasing 100 balloons, campaigners presented Valentine cards to medical staff working at the community hospital nearby in appreciation of their work.
Birthing centre Coaches and cars
Meanwhile, a 4,000-name petition signed by people in Builth Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells, and a further 3,000 signatures from Hay-on-Wye and Talgarth, near Brecon, will be presented to board chief executive Andy Williams and chair Chris Mann. "The smaller events in the morning were well attended and we had up to 300 at Bronllys in the afternoon," said one of the organisers Dr Richard Walters.
It will be the first protest since more than 400 people, including MPs and AMs, took part in a "keeping the flame alive" event in Builth Wells before Christmas. "Two hospital users from each of the four areas affected were also invited into the board's offices to chat with chairman Chris Mann.
In November, nearly 500 people attended a public meeting in Builth Wells. Dr Walters, of Builth and Llanwrtyd Wells Medical Practice, added that about 200 people had travelled to Bronllys from Llanidloes and Builth Wells by bus and cars.
In October, some 1,000 people formed a human ring in the "hands around Llanidloes Hospital" demonstration, and in September about 800 people turned out at a meeting in the town in a show of concern. Meanwhile, a 4,000-name petition signed by people in Builth Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells, and a further 3,000 signatures from Hay-on-Wye and Talgarth, near Brecon, was presented to board chief executive Andy Williams and Mr Mann.
At Llanidloes, there are plans to cut 18 beds, close an X-ray unit, a birthing centre and outpatient services. It was the latest protest by campaigners who are fighting to save their local hospitals.
Bronllys and Knighton could lose GP beds and maternity services, while 12 beds, outpatient and X-ray services could be cut at Builth Wells. There have been a series of public meetings and demonstrations since last September throughout the areas affected by the proposals.