Government interference in hospital reorganisation - Kirsty Williams comment

5.03.51pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 7th Nov 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has expressed her concern at the Welsh Assembly Government's interference in the issue over proposed hospital closures in Powys.

In a leaked letter from the Chair of the LHB, he says that they had been told by the Chief Executive of NHS Wales that the Government did not wish to see public consultations taking place in the run up to the Assembly elections.

Ms Williams said: "While I welcome the Assembly Government's interest in this matter, and would be grateful of any support they could give in ensuring the future provision of local health services, I am very much concerned at the idea that the threat of closures is to hang over our communities for so much longer, and for purely party political reasons.

"There is a real fear that the longer this issue is drawn out for, the lower staff morale will become. The danger is that staff in Powys will decide to move elsewhere, rather than waiting to see the outcome of a consultation that may not happen for many months. If our hospitals lose too many staff, it will be easy for the LHB to justify closing them."

Notes:

· The full text of the letter reads - "Andy has recently met with Ann Lloyd, Chief Executive, NHS Wales, to discuss the timing of possible public consultation in Powys. Ann advised him that Welsh Assembly Government will be issuing guidance on the future of community services and community hospitals in December. She also advised that Welsh Assembly Government would be reluctant to see public consultation exercises run in the lead up to the Assembly Elections and that as a consequence we should be planning to commence public consultation in June or July 2007 at the earliest. Ann acknowledged that this would have to be reflected in a revised SCEP. In light of this we may as a Board wish to rethink the timetable for implementing 'Doing More Doing Better' in discussion with Andy. I am calling an informal Board Briefing for 2.30pm 15th November to allow us an opportunity to consider these issues ahead of the informal Board meeting on the 29th. The venue of the Board meeting will be confirmed shortly but I am trying to arrange it in Llandrindod Wells. Regards, Chris" .Chris Mann is the Chair of the LHB, Andy (Williams) is the Chief Executive, and Ann (Lloyd) is the Chief Executive of NHS Wales.

· Ms Williams raised the issue at First Minister's Questions today, but he denied any intervention had taken place. The full text of the record of proceedings will be available tomorrow at the National Assembly for Wales website (www.wales.gov.uk).