Rural health under examination

1.50.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 14th Jan 2008

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon & Radnorshire Kirsty Williams has welcomed the announcement of a new Rural Health Plan Working Group set to advise the Welsh Assembly Government.

"I have long advocated the need to recognise the particular requirements and difficulties faced by service providers in rural areas. It is welcome news that the Government is finally acknowledging that there is a need to approach rural areas from a different angle when seeking to provide efficient and effective health services.

"Rural Health boards such Powys face the logistical problems of poor road and transport networks along with the pressures of an aging population and a difficulty in attracting staff to the sparsely populated area.

"Such issues mean that we need to consider innovative and locally specific methods of service provision along with looking at different budget priorities to our urban equivalents.

"It is vital that the group consults widely and fully with professionals and service users across rural Wales to ensure that their voices are heard and their ideas and experiences are fed into the advisory process.

"It is also essential that the Assembly Government takes on board the findings of the Rural Health Group and acts positively upon their recommendations so as to provide rural areas with the services they deserve. Sadly the Labour government has a record of ignoring tough choices after detailed reports - just look at the Richard and Sunderland Commissions - and I will be pushing for positive recommendations to be implemented."