Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick has secured a ministerial meeting to raise concerns about delays faced by Powys patients needing treatment in English hospitals.

Mr Chadwick pressed the issue during Health Questions in the House of Commons, warning that some patients are waiting years for operations and living in ongoing pain after changes to waiting list arrangements in Powys.

Powys has no district general hospital, meaning many residents rely on hospitals in England.

He told MPs that Powys Teaching Health Board had extended waiting times for patients treated across the border, which he said had left some people waiting longer.

Following his question, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Innovation and Safety Preet Kaur Gill agreed to meet Mr Chadwick to discuss the issue further.

Mr Chadwick said he wanted action to make sure Powys patients were not left behind because of where they live.

He said: "For many of my constituents, hospitals in Hereford, Shrewsbury and elsewhere in England are not a choice, they are a necessity.

"That is why it is so frustrating that patients have been left waiting longer for treatment, despite capacity existing to treat them sooner.

“Many people have contacted me after seeing their operations delayed while living with pain, discomfort and uncertainty.

"I welcome the Minister's agreement to meet and discuss these concerns. This is an important opportunity to bring together the UK Government, Welsh Government and Powys Teaching Health Board to find a solution that puts patients first and ends this two-tiered system.”

Ms Gill said work was already under way with the NHS and devolved governments to improve systems, including how cross-border care is managed.

She said waiting list decisions in Wales are for the Welsh Government, but agreed border communities should be able to access care “as quickly and conveniently as possible.”