At a time when the debate around Powys on Health Board plans for Community Hospital beds is intensifying, in Talgarth, a different issue is causing uncertainty.

On 28th July, Haygarth Surgery wrote to the local MP, MSs, County Councillor William Powell and the Clerk of Talgarth Town Council, seeking support in retaining a base for the Health Board's District Nursing team at the Haygarth Surgery in Talgarth, in the face of a plan to relocate them to Bronllys Hospital.

A number of concerned local residents wrote immediately to the Health Board, seeking reassurance and a re-think, only to hear that the Haygarth Practice had, in fact, failed to offer the Board the 8am to 8pm base that they required, seven days a week.

In the face of this - and because a split office to accommodate the restrictions imposed by the GP practice would be prohibitively expensive, an alternative site at Bronllys had been agreed after a process of mediation.

Welsh Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Talgarth, William Powell, expressed surprise and concern at the revelations contained in the Health Board's response.

Cllr Powell commented: "Obviously, the Haygarth Medical Practice has an absolute right to use their premises as they see fit. However, it seems curious that they would turn away the opportunity to accommodate an enhanced District Nurse team on site for the full duration of the service.

"It also poses questions about the effect of losing the rental income that would come with such a valuable clinical team - with potentially worrying consequences for the sustainability of the Haygarth presence in Talgarth.

"Seven years ago last month, in the immediate aftermath of Covid, opening hours at both Haygarth sites were reduced - but with Talgarth losing proportionately more hours than its sister site in Hay on Wye. Some colleagues have suggested that turning away valuable core income for the practice could have the effect of 'sabotaging' the future of the GP practice in Talgarth, especially when surgeries are under acute financial pressure across the country. This would simply not be acceptable to local service users - and, in my view, a rethink is urgently required."

Meanwhile, retired care worker and healthcare campaigner Glyn Jones, who sits on Talgarth Town Council, has submitted a raft of Freedom of Information requests to Haygarth Surgery and to Powys teaching Health Board, seeking clarity on the latest position, and how it has come about.

He requested copies of emails and hard copy correspondence; notes of meetings (virtual or in person or recordings of meetings) concerning the following, including any mediation process and the text of any agreed statements: location of PtHB staff at Haygarth GP Practice - both Hay on Wye and Talgarth sites; details of the requirements of the District Nurse service in terms of opening hours and facilities - and the budget available to cover rental and other costs; comprehensive details of the response from the GP practice regarding the request; details of any risk assessment or equality impact assessment relating to this matter.

Pressure is also coming from David Chadwick MP and Jane Dodds MS, who were due to meet Haygarth representatives to discuss a range of healthcare issues on Tuesday, 18 August.