Powys patients must not be "short-changed" again when Welsh Government funding to tackle NHS waiting lists is distributed, James Evans has warned.

Mr Evans, MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, challenged First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth during questions in the Senedd this week to guarantee that Powys Teaching Health Board receives a fair share of a new £140 million package aimed at reducing waiting times.

He told the Senedd that some patients in his constituency were facing longer waits for treatment despite capacity being available across the border in England, and that health board budget decisions were contributing to delays.

Mr Evans asked the First Minister for assurances that Powys would receive more funding this time to help address waiting lists and cross-border healthcare issues.

Responding, Mr ap Iorwerth said patients wanted "better outcomes rather than more money" and insisted the Welsh Government's focus was on improving healthcare results for people in Powys and across Wales.

The First Minister said: “Already the Government has made significant investment in the first major stage of creating sustainability within health and care in Wales. That very much includes patients in Powys that we know, from debates here in the Senedd in recent months and years, feel that somehow they haven't had a good deal. My Minister's focus will be as much on the people of Powys as anywhere else, and it will always be focused on outcomes.”

Following the exchange, Mr Evans said: “Powys patients cannot be short-changed again. If the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government is serious about cutting waiting lists, Powys Teaching Health Board must get a fair share of this new funding. Last time, Powys received just £115,000 out of a £120 million waiting list package. That was simply is not good enough for patients who are already facing long waits and cross-border barriers.

“The First Minister says this is about outcomes, not money, but the two are clearly linked. If there is capacity over the border in England, patients in my constituency should not be left waiting longer because of budget decisions in Wales.

“People in Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd deserve timely access to healthcare, whether that care is delivered in Wales or across the border. I will keep pressing the Welsh Government to ensure Powys patients are treated fairly.”

The issue was also raised moments later by Jane Dodds, who said Powys faced unique challenges as the only Welsh health board area without a district general hospital.

Ms Dodds, MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, told the Senedd that some Powys patients treated in English hospitals were waiting longer for care than English patients receiving treatment alongside them.

She said Powys Teaching Health Board's reported £44 million deficit highlighted the need for the county to be treated differently to other health boards when funding decisions are made.

Responding, the First Minister acknowledged that changes to commissioning arrangements between Powys Teaching Health Board and NHS providers in England and Wales had resulted in some patients experiencing longer waits for planned care.

He said: “Now, it’s no surprise, is it, that people think that this is an equity issue? Why should people on one side of the border feel that they are receiving substandard care? It is an issue that my Minister is very, very aware of, and in making sure that we build those robust agreements between the NHS in Wales and England, we will have the interests of the people of Powys at heart.”