Under new proposals from Powys Teaching Health Board all 49 physical-health inpatient beds currently provided across Llanidloes, Welshpool, and Machynlleth would be removed though no decision has yet been made
16:26, 10 Sep 2026Updated 20:15, 10 Sep 2026
Llanidloes councillors Glyn Preston and Fleur Frantz-Morgans making their message clear at Llanidloes & District War Memorial Hospital(Image: Weslh Liberal Democrats)
Plans to shut a minor injuries unit and remove community hospital beds in one part of Wales have caused outrage prompting local councillors to vow: “We will not let our hospitals be stripped bare.”
Under new proposals from Powys Teaching Health Board all 49 physical-health inpatient beds currently provided across Llanidloes, Welshpool, and Machynlleth would be removed, leaving Newtown as the only hospital providing physical-health inpatient beds across north Powys.
Welshpool would also lose its minor injury unit once a proposed new urgent care centre in Newtown opens. X-ray provision would transfer away from the town and X-ray services at Machynlleth would also be removed. Keep up to date with health news and all the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
If agreed Newtown would become one of only two enhanced urgent care centres serving the whole of Powys and would take on an expanded inpatient, rehabilitation, and recovery role.
Welsh Liberal Democrat councillors for Llanidloes Glyn Preston and Fleur Frantz-Morgans, along with Welshpool councillors Richard Church and Carol Robinson, have vowed to the fight plans that would see community hospital beds removed from Llanidloes, Welshpool, and Machynlleth.
The councillors say the proposals would leave communities paying the price for the centralisation of healthcare in Powys. The proposed changes would represent a dramatic reshaping of healthcare across north Powys.
Three communities that have relied on their local hospitals for generations losing inpatient provision altogether, the councillors said.
The Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats have warned investment in Newtown must not be used as an excuse to dismantle hospital services in surrounding towns. They argue that a rural healthcare system needs a strong network of community facilities rather than expecting patients and their families to travel ever greater distances for care.
They have vowed to mount a major campaign against the loss of local services and are calling on the First Minister and Welsh Government to intervene before the plans progress any further.
Cllr Preston and Cllr Fleur Frantz-Morgans said: “We are absolutely furious that after everything the people of Llanidloes have said and done to defend our hospital we are now being presented with options where every single road leads to the same place: the loss of our beds.
“Five hundred people came to our public meeting in Llanidloes. That should tell the health board everything it needs to know about what this hospital means to our community.
“People in Llanidloes will feel angry, betrayed, and completely ignored. But we are not giving up. If the health board thinks our community is simply going to accept the hollowing out of our hospital, they have seriously underestimated us.”
Welshpool councillors Richard Church and Carol Robinson said in a statement: “What is being proposed for Montgomeryshire is devastating and the cuts to Welshpool are even worse than we can imagine.
“Welshpool stands to lose its hospital beds, its minor injury unit, and its X-ray provision. Llanidloes loses its beds. Machynlleth loses its beds and X-ray service.
“One by one services that generations of people have relied upon are being pulled away from our towns.
“We support better services and investment in Newtown but this cannot become a choice between investing in one Montgomeryshire town and stripping services from all the others.“There comes a point where you have to say enough is enough. Our rural communities deserve better than constantly being told that another service has to go.
“The time has come for the Plaid Cymru health minister to intervene. Plaid promised a rural premium for public services before the election – now is the time to make good on that promise and help save health care provision in Montgomeryshire.”
Asked to respond Powys Teaching Health Board referred to its announcement of the propsals earlier this week.
That statement said the health board is considering whether to begin what is says is “one of the most significant public conversations about the future of local NHS services for a generation”.
At its meeting on September 16 the Powys Teaching Health Board will consider whether Better Together proposals for adult physical health, adult mental health, urgent care, and some diagnostic services are ready for formal public consultation.
“The proposals respond to major challenges facing health services. People are living longer, often with several long-term conditions; demand is rising; and recruiting and retaining the workforce needed to sustain small services across a large rural county is becoming increasingly difficult,” the health board statement said.
“Better Together asks how NHS services should evolve over the next 10 years and beyond so they remain safe, effective, and sustainable while helping more people stay well, remain independent, and receive care at home or closer to home.”
No decisions have yet been made. The board is being asked whether the evidence, options, and supporting arrangements are ready to be tested through formal public consultation.
“All options retain services at all community hospital sites in Powys. All options also include significant steps to improve the community services available in people’s homes and, as these improvements are achieved, the need for bed-based care would reduce,” the board said as it unveiled its plans.
The consultation options set out a future with community hospital inpatient beds on fewer sites than now. The board said this would strengthen urgent community responses and establish urgent care centres, open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week, with a wider range of assessment, treatment, and diagnostic services than current minor injury units can provide.
The board said the proposals would also strengthen community mental health, crisis response, NHS 111 Wales Press 2, and sanctuary services, alongside a single centre of excellence for mental health inpatient care in the Bronllys/Brecon area.
Dr Carl Cooper, chair of Powys Teaching Health Board, said: “The recommendations being considered by the board on September 16 have been informed by feedback from thousands of patients, residents, NHS staff, and partner organisations over that last two years.
“This is not currently a decision on the future configuration of services. Such decisions could only be made following full and meaningful consultation.”
Kate Wright, the board’s executive medical director, said: “Harm from prolonged hospital stays have become well-evidenced. It is clear that a health system that can provide more care in community settings would deliver better care and outcomes for patients.
“These proposals explore how we can provide safe, high-quality care for future generations, support more people to stay well and independent, and retain inpatient care for those whose needs cannot safely be met at home. They are focused on strengthening community services for patients with physical and mental health needs.”
If approved the proposed consultation would run from October 5, 2026, to January 10, 2027. Consultation feedback, alternative proposals, and new evidence would be considered before any final decision is made, the board said.
The current plan is for a recommendation following consultation to be considered by the board in spring 2027.
Responding to councillors calls for the Plaid Cymru health minister to intervene a Welsh Government said: “Decisions about the configuration of local NHS services are the responsibility of the local health board, which is best placed to assess the needs of its population.
“Powys Teaching Health Board is currently developing the options within its clinical services plan and no decisions have yet been made.
“Any proposed changes to service must be subject to appropriate engagement and consultation with patients, staff, local communities and other stakeholders, in line with national guidance.