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Action group stages hospital demo Action group stages hospital demo
(about 6 hours later)
Campaigners have been staging a protest outside a hospital against plans to make "drastic" cuts to services there. Campaigners have staged a protest outside a hospital against plans to make "drastic" cuts to services there.
Up to 1000 people took part and formed a human ring in the "hands around Llanidloes hospital" demonstration. Up to 1,000 people took part and formed a human ring in the "hands around Llanidloes hospital" demonstration.
Last month, Powys Local Health Board (LHB) announced that it wanted to make cuts at Llanidloes, Knighton, Bronllys and Builth Wells hospitals.Last month, Powys Local Health Board (LHB) announced that it wanted to make cuts at Llanidloes, Knighton, Bronllys and Builth Wells hospitals.
The LHB has said it is facing a £3.5m deficit and has to make changes but was consulting widely.The LHB has said it is facing a £3.5m deficit and has to make changes but was consulting widely.
The plans involve closing all 18 hospital beds, a X-ray service and a maternity unit at Llanidloes.The plans involve closing all 18 hospital beds, a X-ray service and a maternity unit at Llanidloes.
The proposals have angered some local people who have formed the Save Llanidloes Hospital Action Group in response.The proposals have angered some local people who have formed the Save Llanidloes Hospital Action Group in response.
Action group spokesman Alan Crisp said: "The protest on Saturday morning is part of an ongoing campaign to save the hospital." Action group spokesman Alan Crisp said: "These drastic cuts will effectively close the hospital and we want to keep it open," he added.
He said people would form a ring around the hospital. Campaigner Margot Jones said: "We're committed to fight to the end. We live in a rural area and there's no reason why we can't expect the same level of service as everywhere else."
"These drastic cuts will effectively close the hospital and we want to keep it open," he added. Brecon's Bronllys Hospital will lose beds and maternity services
After being addressed by various speakers, the protesters marched through the centre of the town to the site of the local hospital.After being addressed by various speakers, the protesters marched through the centre of the town to the site of the local hospital.
Last month Andy Williams, chief executive of Powys LHB, said he understood people's attachment to their hospital.Last month Andy Williams, chief executive of Powys LHB, said he understood people's attachment to their 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: "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."
Earlier this week, GPs criticised the LHB over plans to cut services at the four community hospitals.Earlier this week, GPs criticised the LHB over plans to cut services at the four community hospitals.
Doctors in Builth Wells and Llanidloes said there was a "lack of confidence" in Powys Local Health Board's (LHB) ability to deliver "effective change".Doctors in Builth Wells and Llanidloes said there was a "lack of confidence" in Powys Local Health Board's (LHB) ability to deliver "effective change".
The LHB said it was committed to working closely with GPs.The LHB said it was committed to working closely with GPs.