A petition calling for the Senedd to investigate rural healthcare in Powys has attracted more than 6,000 signatures ahead of the start of a major consultation on the future of community hospitals.

The petition, titled “Halt any loss of beds, facilities and Community Hospital closures in Powys review of rural healthcare”, had attracted more than 6,300 signatures as of Monday.

It calls on the Senedd and the Health Minister to launch a full inquiry and debate into rural healthcare provision and to prevent changes to beds, services or hospitals in Powys until that work has been carried out.

The petition was started by Catherine Duerden and is open for signatures until March 22, 2027. The Senedd’s petitions process states that petitions receiving more than 10,000 signatures will be considered for a debate.

Powys County Councillor Graham Breeze, who represents the Welshpool Llanerchydol ward, has urged people across Mid Wales to sign the petition.

He said: “Politically backed petitions have fallen on deaf ears at the health board.

“The only way to put an end to this madness is for the Senedd to instigate a full inquiry into rural healthcare and halt PTHB proposals while the probe continues.”

The petition says reducing Powys to 60 community hospital beds would not provide the care needed in a rural county without a district general hospital or hospice.

It argues that reducing local services could mean longer journeys, missed appointments and increased emergency admissions, while calling for a “radical rethink” of rural healthcare.

“The thought of Welshpool Hospital without beds, without an X-Ray department and without a minor injuries unit is a frightening one,” said Cllr Breeze.

“Residents already face lengthy cross-border journeys, a lack of social care and the loss of the area's air ambulance base.

“This money saving exercise makes everyone question if Mid Wales lives really matter.

"Please sign the petition link."

The petition comes as Powys Teaching Health Board prepares to launch its Better Together consultation this coming Monday (October 5).

The health board is consulting on two options for adult physical health inpatient care. One would reduce the number of community hospital beds from the current 146 across eight sites to around 90 at Brecon, Llandrindod Wells and Newtown, while the other would provide around 60 beds at Brecon and Newtown.

The proposals would also change the way urgent care is provided in the county. Under both options, Urgent Care Centres would be established at Brecon and Newtown, opening from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

Powys currently has MIUs at Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, Welshpool and Ystradgynlais. The proposed changes would see the current urgent care arrangements replaced by the two UCCs at Brecon and Newtown.

The Senedd says petitions with more than 250 signatures are considered by its Petitions Committee. Reaching 10,000 signatures means a petition will be considered for a debate, although the committee decides whether to refer it for debate.

The petition can be signed on the Senedd website: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/247123