CONCERNS have been raised that breast cancer services could be moved further away from South Powys patients.

The Aneurin Bevan Health Board has confirmed it is considering establishing a Centre of Excellence for Gwent and South Powys which could be based anywhere in the Gwent area, including Ystrad Mynach near Caerphilly.

If services were moved from Abergavenny’s Nevill Hall Hospital to the Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr site it would add more than 10 miles to the 20 mile journey faced by patients from Brecon.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, the Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams has raised concerns over travelling times while a former top doctor has said establishing a centre of excellence will fail to address "fundamental" problems in providing breast cancer services.

Ms Williams has also raised concerns that the health board is taking 19 days to offer first appointments for suspected breast cancer when the Welsh Government target is 10 days.

The health board has said the centre of excellence proposal is one option it is considering to address shortages of specialist staff and its ability to meet waiting time targets.

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