Montgomeryshire MS Russell George says he wants to see progress on Newtown's proposed new community hospital.

Mr George, who was appointed as the Conservative Shadow Health Minister after re-election in May, says the Welsh Government needs to invest more into health facilities in the area.

The Welsh Conservatives made delivering a new state-of-the-art healthcare facility in Newtown one of their manifesto pledges for the Senedd elections back in April, and now Mr George says he will pressure the Welsh Labour Government into delivering it.

"During my campaign, I highlighted my ambition for our local health facilities to be prioritised. I was therefore delighted to have been appointed last week with the new responsibility of Shadow Health Minister," he said.

"Our health service has had its most difficult year in its existence, and it is only with the hard-work and dedication of our NHS professionals and care staff that we have been kept safe. It is essential that they are given the facilities which they need to provide the care that they want to give."

Preliminary proposals for the scheme have been sent to the Welsh Government's Health Minister, Eluned Morgan MS, to be given a preliminary go-ahead.

The next phase would involve more detailed proposals to be put forward as part of a fully costed business case for the facility.

Health bosses say the new centre would work with the current network of community hospitals in Machynlleth, Llanidloes and Welshpool and district general hospitals outside Powys to ensure residents receive treatment closer to home.

"Unfortunately, prior to the pandemic, we saw waiting times in Wales double, and targets for treatment in A&E and cancer continued to be missed or were not met at all," he added.

"I will be looking to work constructively with the Welsh Government but will also provide new ideas and scrutinise the Welsh Government in tackling waiting times in particular. The Welsh Government also needs to invest in health facilities in Mid Wales, including a new state of the art community hospital.

"I will now be looking to meet with the new Health Minister to lobby for approval of these plans and for the new facility to be delivered."