Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick has challenged Powys Teaching Health Board over its decision to extend waiting times for Powys residents receiving treatment in English hospitals, warning that patients are being left to suffer while no organisation appears willing to take responsibility.

During a session of the Welsh Affairs Committee's inquiry into cross-border healthcare, Mr Chadwick questioned Pete Hopgood, Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Finance, Capital and Support Services at Powys Teaching Health Board on the impact of the policy, which was introduced last year as part of efforts to reduce spending.

The policy affects patients in Powys who rely on hospitals in England for treatment. As Powys has no district general hospital of its own, many residents depend on services in Hereford, Shrewsbury and other nearby English hospitals for routine and specialist care.

Questioning witnesses, Mr Chadwick highlighted concerns that patients are facing significantly longer waits for treatment despite capacity existing within the hospitals they attend. He challenged health board representatives on whether delaying access to care hadgenuinely reduced expenditure and what assessment had been made of the impact on patient welfare.

When pressed on whether the policy had actually delivered meaningful savings, the Lib Dems say the Health Board's representative was unable to provide a clear answer. The party have previously raised concerns that any apparent savings may simply be displaced elsewhere in the healthcare system, as patients left waiting longer for treatment often require additional GP appointments, pain management, community care and, in some cases, emergency treatment after their condition deteriorates.

During the session, witnesses acknowledged the significant financial pressures facing Powys Teaching Health Board and the wider Welsh NHS. However, the MP says concerns remained over who ultimately bears responsibility for decisions that leave patients waiting longer for care despite treatment capacity being available.

Mr Chadwick argued that while the Health Board has implemented the policy, responsibility also lies with the Welsh Government, which has the powers to intervene and direct the Health Board if it chooses to do so and is responsible for the funding of Powys Health Board.

The MP said the evidence heard by the Committee suggested that patients were being caught in the middle of a system where responsibility is being passed between different organisations while waiting lists continue to grow and local people continue to suffer.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the waiting time extension policy since it was first proposed, arguing that Powys residents should not face longer waits simply because they live on the Welsh side of the border.

Commenting after the session, David Chadwick MP said: "Today's evidence session made one thing abundantly clear: patients are paying the price for a decision that nobody seems willing to take responsibility for.

"Powys residents rely on hospitals in England because we have no district general hospital of our own. Yet many are now being forced to wait significantly longer for treatment, despite the capacity existing to treat them sooner.

"I was particularly concerned that when asked directly whether this policy had actually saved money, the Health Board was unable to provide a clear answer. From the beginning, I have warned that delaying treatment risks simply shifting costs elsewhere in the system, as patients' conditions worsen and they require more intensive support.

"These are not just statistics. Behind every delayed operation is a patient living with pain, anxiety and uncertainty while they wait for the care they need.

"While Powys Teaching Health Board is implementing this policy, it is ultimately the Welsh Government that has the power to step in and stop it. So far, there is little indication that the new Plaid Cymru-led Government intends to do so.

"Patients should be treated according to clinical need, not according to where they live or the financial pressures facing their local health board. The Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue pressing both the Health Board and the Welsh Government until Powys patients receive the fair treatment they deserve."