THE future of pharmacy provision in a Powys town is far more secure after plans were put in place to keep the vital community facility open.

Fears emerged last month that residents of Llanwrtyd Wells and the surrounding area could lose their pharmacy following the announcement that the town’s long-serving pharmacist Paul Davies was retiring at the end of the year.

Meetings have been attended by Llanwrtyd Town Council and surrounding community councils lately, together with Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) and other stakeholders. And Llanwrtyd Town Council today (December 13) announced that the future looks rosier than it did last week.

“Following a worrying few weeks, there is more positive news that the busy pharmacy in Llanwrtyd Wells, which serves residents across the Irfon Valley and beyond, will continue after the retirement of the current pharmacist,” said a joint statement on behalf of Llanwrtyd Town Council, Llangammarch Community Council and Treflys Community Council (the latter of which represents the villages of Garth and Beulah.

“At a recent meeting of Powys Teaching Health Board approval was granted to allow the transfer of the business to a new provider. Subject to some procedural issues this transfer will hopefully be achieved early in the New Year.

“In the meantime, the current pharmacist, Paul Davies, who has provided this vital and responsive service for many years, will remain in post to keep the pharmacy operational and ensure a smooth transition to a new provider.”

READ MORE

Llanwrtyd mayor Jim Davies attended a meeting with other local community councils on Friday, November 26, which was also attended by the chief executive of PTHB Carol Shillabeer, as well as local politicians like Members of the Senedd James Evans and Jane Dodds and a representative for Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones.

A spokesperson for the town council said last Tuesday, December 7: “Our sole focus is to secure the future of the community pharmacy in Llanwrtyd beyond the end of this month.

“The health board inform us that some progress has been made and that options are being tested against the relevant regulatory requirements which have to be met.

“We are keeping in regular contact with the health board and will issue a further community update next week.”

At the original meeting at the end of last month with various parties, Llanwrtyd Town Council representatives expressed their concerns regarding the continued provision of pharmacy services in the area.

They were assured that updates on developments would be released in due course. The meeting was said to have been mostly positive and PTHB emphasised its commitment to working towards finding a satisfactory outcome for residents of the town and neighbouring local communities.

Anyone wishing to register their views can still do so by writing to: Concerns, Glasbury House, Bronllys Hospital, Brecon, Powys, LD3 0LY.

Alternatively, email Concerns.qualityandsafety.POW@wales.nhs.uk.