A TOWN council and patient groups say they are “outraged at the lack of communication and interest” of secondary care services by Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) in Llanidloes.

Llanidloes Town Council, Llanidloes Patients Forum and Llanidloes League of Friends have openly criticised the local health board by expressing their “profound disappointment and anger” at the reluctance to re-open beds at the town’s hospital.

The group, which represents the interests of people in the area, have called on PTHB to “stop paying lip service to Llanidloes and communicate truthfully with the public with no false promises and deal with the very real situation now”.

They say they are dismayed at the temporary closure of beds at Llanidloes War Memorial Hospital since Autumn 2017 and claim to have sent “a series” of letters to the PTHB since November 2018.

PTHB Chief Executive, Carol Shillabeer, apologised for the lack of communication and for not making the area feel that Llanidloes Hospital was “a special place” at a meeting with stakeholders in April.

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Sonia Pritchard, town clerk, said: “No action appears to take place until the Local Health Board is reminded of their promise to do so and although the group has asked for a specific focus on recruitment in Llanidloes alone, other areas seem to be treated more favourably. Public meetings are poorly organised with very little last minute advertising. Concern has also been expressed over the state of the Hospital grounds where the grass is knee high.”

The groups say they have identified various ideas that would “enhance and improve” the facilities at the hospital.

“The earlier discharge from District General Hospital care when admittance there has often been the worst option when patients are inappropriately admitted for care that could be provided locally,” the groups said.

“The temporary closure of these beds flies in the face of the long held Welsh Government views that Community Hospitals are capable of providing so much more in terms of modern care and have a key role in the delivery of services within the community.”

On Friday, June 14, PTHB and Powys County Council will launch the North Wales Wellbeing programme in Llanidloes. Dubbed a “once in a generation opportunity”, the project aims to improve health and wellbeing across Montgomeryshire.

They are asking residents and service users to share their views on what matters most in the community at a drop-in event Chatwood House from 10.30am to 1pm.

A spokesperson said it “will be an opportunity to share your insights and experiences of health and wellbeing services in north Powys and what services could look like in the future. We look forward to working with you to create a healthy, caring future together.”