Local AM discusses future of local Hospitals with Minister

2.33.31pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th Jun 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, met with the newly appointed Health Minister in the Assembly yesterday, to discuss issues of concern for the constituency.

Top of the agenda was the future of community hospitals in the area, which have been threatened with closure by Powys Local Health Board (LHB).

Ms Williams said: "This was a productive and largely positive meeting which gave me the opportunity to express my concerns about the senior management of the LHB and the hospital closures process. The Minister seemed pleased to hear of the community's desire for alternative arrangements and has asked for more details of different proposals. She also agreed to look at the funding issues created by the unique position we have in Wales of having a body which is both the commissioner and provider of services. Perhaps most crucially, she accepted the principle that the health and social care needs of people in rural Wales cannot be met by a system designed for more highly populated areas.

"The Minister has given her commitment to seriously consider the points that I raised with her and I'm hopeful that we will see action in the near future."