Health Board delays cut decision

Plans to cut inpatient procedures for local residents at hospitals in Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth have been delayed.

Residents and politicians were outrated this week after revelations that Powys Teaching Health Board intended to ask health service providers to reduce treatments and procedures as part of cost-cutting measures.

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The health board, facing a £22 million deficit this year, was supposed to discuss implementing various measures today.

However, the board only agreed upon a recruitment freeze and reducing expenditure on agency staff during the meeting.

A statement from the health board highlighted the financial challenges faced by the NHS in Powys, stating, "Our first and foremost priority is to ensure the best possible health and healthcare for the people of Powys. This is reflected in our own financial position here in Powys."

The statement continued, "The Board endorsed that further discussions should take place with providers of planned care services in England to further develop the assessment of potential savings and finalize the integrated impact assessment."

The Board will make a final decision in public at a future date, considering the impact on patients waiting for planned procedures amid rising waiting times since the COVID-19 pandemic started.