A new out of hours telephone number is now active for patients in Powys for medical issues which are 'urgent but not life threatening'.

From Wednesday, October 3, patients who need to see a doctor urgently are advised to call 111 if their problem won’t wait until the next doctor’s surgery opening.

The phone service will provide advice and health information.

Emergency cases should continue to use 999 as normal.

The move comes after it was announced that the frontline ShropDoc service, which currently serves Shropshire and Mid Wales, was set to be axed this year due to financial pressures.

Services in Shropshire switched over to the new 111 number last month.

“I am delighted to confirm that the NHS 111 Wales telephone number will be in place across the whole of Powys from 3 October 2018,” said Carol Shillabeer, chief executive of Powys Teaching Health Board.

“Our final readiness checks have been completed successfully this week, giving us assurance that everything is in place to offer a new easy to remember number to contact both GP Out of Hours (provided by Shropdoc) and NHS Direct Wales health information and advice.”