Kirsty Williams Throws Down Gauntlet to LHB and Political Opponents

4.04.29pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 25th Sep 2006

AM Says 'Ditch Simplistic Slogans' and Calls On LHB To Work With Local Communities

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon & Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has challenged Local Health Board's Chief Executive to spell out exactly what services they are able to provide to communities in Powys.

The Local Health Board (LHB) are expected to announce plans to close some of the community hospital in the area when they meet in Bronllys on Wednesday.

" We have been fed a changing diet of vague ideas and rumours over past months, spread largely through the pages of the local press," said Ms. Williams. " The time has come now for the LHB to spell out exactly what it is proposing in detail and then, through proper consultation and discussion, give local communities a proper chance to be involved in planning their future health provision. Vague references to moving beds and provision from one place to another or creating new services without the details of how this will be achieved and paid for will not do."

Kirsty and Roger Williams MP at Brecon Hospital

Urging people and politicians to ditch simplistic slogans and to get engaged in the debate about what health services can and should be provided to every community in Powys, Ms. Williams continued:

" We all know that health services have to adapt and change to meet the challenges of new technology, an ageing population and higher clinical standards. This is not just about saving particular hospital buildings in certain places, but about developing community-based health services of the highest standard across all the communities of Powys. The hospitals are a very important part of that, but it does not mean that they will be able to automatically carry on delivering what they deliver now."

Throwing down a challenge to her fellow politicians, Ms. Williams said:

" Local & national politicians have a great responsibility in this process. If our local health service is to survive, we need to be open-minded and engage in the debate with the LHB, not just throw slogans at it."

Notes:

• Kirsty Williams will be outside the LHB's meeting at the Concert Hall in Bronllys at 9.30am on Wednesday September 27th, lobbying the LHB to listen to the views of the people and provide a local health service for local people. All are welcome.