Speaking during a Westminster debate on government oversight of health boards, the Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe warned that ministers were attempting to distance themselves from controversial decisions being taken by health boards, despite controlling their funding and being ultimately responsible for NHS services.

Powys Teaching Health Board is considering proposals that could see community hospital beds reduced from 146 to as few as 60, alongside potential cuts to minor injury units, X-ray provision and mental health services.

Hospitals in communities including Knighton, Llanidloes, Llandrindod Wells, Ystradgynlais, Welshpool and Machynlleth face uncertainty over the future of local services.

The health board is also continuing to delay the treatment of patients from Powys in hospitals in Shropshire and Herefordshire to cut costs.

Chadwick warned that the cumulative impact of these proposals could amount to a "closure by stealth" of some community hospitals where multiple services are under threat.

Commenting after the debate, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said:"The Plaid Cymru Health Minister needs to step up and take responsibility for the devastating cuts being proposed to hospitals across Powys.

"Health boards are accountable to the Health Minister. It is the Welsh Government that controls their funding and sets the financial conditions they operate under.

"Ministers cannot demand millions of pounds in savings, then wash their hands of the consequences when health boards propose slashing hospital beds and removing vital services from rural communities.

"We now have the extraordinary situation where Powys Teaching Health Board is considering proposals that directly contradict the Welsh Government's own stated ambitions for healthcare, yet ministers continue to insist there is nothing they can do.

"Thousands of people across Powys have made their opposition clear. They deserve a Government that listens to them, not one that hides behind unelected bureaucrats and passes the blame when things go wrong.

"Operational independence cannot be used as a shield against democratic accountability. The Health Minister has a responsibility to intervene before it is too late.

"I will continue fighting to protect our community hospitals and demanding that the Plaid Cymru Government in Cardiff Bay takes responsibility for protecting the future of NHS services in Powys."

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