Reform calls for cross-party campaign over Powys hospital plans

Reform UK politicians have called for a cross-party campaign against proposed changes to hospital services in Powys, prompting criticism from the Liberal Democrats over their previous response to the plans.

The three Reform Senedd members for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd – Iain McIntosh, James Evans and David Mills – have written to their counterparts in Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds and Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams and Rebeca Phillips, asking them to work together to oppose the proposals.

Their letter follows public meetings in Ystradgynlais and Llandrindod Wells, where they said residents had raised concerns about the potential loss of up to 86 inpatient beds across Powys, as well as changes to Minor Injuries Units and X-ray departments.

Under the options being considered by Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB), two urgent care centres could be established in Brecon and Newtown.

The Reform politicians have proposed holding two further public meetings, in Ystradgynlais and Llandrindod Wells towards the end of November, with residents given the opportunity to question health board representatives and share their concerns.

Their letter said: “Whatever our political differences, we believe this issue is too important to be approached through separate party campaigns or competing submissions.”

They proposed inviting residents, patients, carers, local councillors and health and social care professionals, with the aim of recording concerns and identifying areas of agreement.

The three MSs also suggested producing a joint submission to the health board before the consultation closes on January 10, saying a united response would “carry considerably more weight than several separate submissions”.

They said: “The recent meetings reinforced our view that people do not want political point scoring. They want us to stand together, listen to them, and do everything within our collective power to persuade PTHB to reconsider proposals that could have lasting consequences for healthcare throughout Powys.”

They added: “People are sick of party point scoring and they expect us to stand together to convey their total opposition to these plans.”

However, in a joint response, Ms Dodds and Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick questioned Reform's approach, pointing to comments made by the party's representatives earlier in the year.

In July, Mr Evans said he did not believe another public meeting focused solely on the health board would provide the solution people were looking for.

Following a meeting with PTHB in August, Reform also issued a statement criticising the Liberal Democrats for “campaigning against potential hospital closures”, describing their approach as politically opportunistic and saying it risked creating unnecessary alarm.

In their response to the latest letter, Ms Dodds and Mr Chadwick said they welcomed Reform's “apparent change of position” but were disappointed that the party was now proposing activities which they said had already been undertaken by the Liberal Democrats and local campaigners.

They said seven public meetings had been organised across Powys since August, alongside two further cross-party meetings organised by town councils. They added the campaign had included a petition, correspondence with the health board and Welsh Government ministers, and support for residents making submissions to the consultation.

The Liberal Democrats said they were willing to work across party lines but added that meaningful cooperation needed to be based on practical action and recognition of the work already carried out.

They said: “We are entirely willing to work across party lines to protect healthcare services in Powys. Indeed, we have already demonstrated that willingness by attending cross-party meetings and working alongside residents and campaigners regardless of their political affiliations.

“But meaningful cross-party cooperation must be based on genuine commitment and practical action, not just attaching one's name to work that others have already undertaken.”

The health board's consultation is due to close on January 10, with no final decisions expected before spring 2027.

Sioned Williams and Rebeca Phillips were approached for comment.