A MASSIVE shake-up of hospital services across South Wales is to impact patients from Brecon and Radnorshire.

South Powys residents are now being urged to take part in a series of meetings over the proposed centralisation of critical care hospital services which deliver treatment and care in the most serious cases to South Powys residents.

The proposed changes do not affect services provided within Powys, but will affect Powys residents traveling out of the area for treatment, including those rushed to A&E in an emergency.

The http://www.wales.nhs.uk/SWP/home&quot">http://www.wales.nhs.uk/SWP/home">'South Wales Programme' would see services centralised at a yet to be built new hospital at Llanfrechfa Grange, Cwmbran, the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff and Morriston Hospital, Swansea as well as at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil and the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.

The new specialist critical care centre in Cwmbran would be a replacement for Nevill Hall Hospital. The Abergavenny hospital will remain open but treat less serious cases.

Powys teaching Health Board is backing plans that would see accident and emergency services remain at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

There is also an option to locate services in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant rather than Bridgend.

Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams has called on local people to get involved in the consultation process.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat leader said: "It is really important that the people of South Powys actively engage with this process. The area covered by these proposals is very large and has many urban areas so it is very important that our rural voices are heard loud and clear."

Public meetings and a series of drop in sessions will be held across Brecon and Radnorshire during June, while the consultation over the proposals closes on July 19.

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Check the details of meeting in your area below

Monday, Jun 3 6-8pm Public meeting Three Cocks Gwernyfed School

Thursday Jun 6 1-4pm Drop in session Brecon Bishop Bevan Hall

Thursday Jun 6 6-8pm Public meeting Brecon Bishop Bevan Hall

Friday Jun 7 1-5pm Drop in session Hay on Wye Parish Hall

Monday Jun 10 10.30am-1.30pm Drop in session Bronllys Basil Webb Hall

Monday Jun 10 1-4pm Drop in session Ystradgynlais Ystradgynlais Miners Hall

Monday Jun 10 6-8pm Public meeting Ystradgynlais Ystradgynlais Miners Hall

Thursday Jun 13 1-4pm Drop in session Builth Wells International Pavillion

Thursday June 13 3-5pm Drop in session Sennybridge village hall

Thursday June 13 6-8pm Public meeting Builth Wells International Pavillion

Monday June 17 1-4pm Drop in session Llandrindod Wells Media Resource Centre

Monday June 17 6-8pm Public meeting Llandrindod Wells MRC

Wednesday Jun 19 1-4pm Drop in session Crickhowell Parish Hall

Wednesday June 19 6-8pm Public meeting Crickhowell Parish Hall

Thursday June 20 2-5pm Drop in session Llyswen village hall