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Hospital demo over closure fears Health chiefs opt to cut services
(about 6 hours later)
Campaigners are preparing to lobby health chiefs as they decide the fate of mid Wales community hospitals. Health chiefs in Powys have voted to cut services at four community hospitals, but objectors claim this will only lead to their closure.
Protesters organised a bus for the Powys Local Health Board (LHB) meeting on the future of a number of hospitals. Powys Local Health Board intends to axe beds, shut a maternity unit and cut other services at Llanidloes, Knighton, Bronllys, near Brecon and Builth Wells.
The LHB said while it understood people's concerns, services had to keep pace with patient needs. Llanidloes councillor Gareth Morgan said it was the "blackest day" in the history of the town.
Brecon and Radnor Community Health Council (CHC) has warned that hospitals in Llanidloes, Bronllys near Brecon and Builth Wells could be affected. The health board said public consultation would begin next year.
The CHC's warning last October came amid a health board budget deficit of £6.7m. About 100 campaigners lobbied health chiefs outside the meeting in Bronllys on Wednesday, with about 30 having travelled from Llanidloes by bus.
About 800 people attended a public meeting in Llanidloes earlier this month. The health board said it was facing a £3.5m deficit and had to make changes.
It is understood that several community hospitals throughout the county are under threat. We will not give up fighting for our hospital - people in Llani are made of sterner stuff Llanidloes councillor Gareth Morgan
'Bricks and mortar' At Llanidloes, the board voted to cut 16 beds, close an X-ray unit, a birthing centre and outpatient services.
Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams has urged people to join her outside the meeting to "make their voices heard". Bronllys, near Brecon, and Knighton will lose GP beds and maternity services, while 12 GP beds, outpatient and X-ray services will be cut at Builth Wells.
Protesters at a public meeting in Llanidloes on 4 September Campaigners were critical, and Llanidloes county councillor Gareth Morgan said the hospital and its staff were the most "precious commodity" the town had.
The Liberal Democrat AM said: "The LHB has ignored the views of local people for too long. "This is the blackest day in the town's history, but we will not give up fighting for our hospital - people in Llani are made of sterner stuff," he said.
"What I am calling for, what so many local people have been telling me that they want, is local health service for local people." Before Wednesday's meeting, Andy Williams, chief executive of Powys LHB, said he understood people's attachment to their hospital.
Andy Williams, chief executive of Powys LHB, said he understood people's attachment to their local hospital. He added: "We must not allow ourselves to measure the effectiveness of health services by the number of hospital beds and by bricks and mortar.
He added: "However, patient needs change and we have a responsibility to make sure that our services keep pace with those changes.
"We must not allow ourselves to measure the effectiveness of health services by the number of hospital beds and by bricks and mortar.
"Some of our current buildings are outdated and we believe that the people of Powys deserve better.""Some of our current buildings are outdated and we believe that the people of Powys deserve better."
In Llanidloes, a petition of more than 4,500 names has been presented to the LHB.
The LHB meeting is in Bronllys, near Brecon, at 1000 BST.