Powys opens consultation on moving hospital beds to fewer sites

Powys Teaching Health Board has approved a county-wide consultation on plans that would concentrate community hospital inpatient beds on fewer sites. The decision opens the proposals to public scrutiny. It does not approve any change to services.

What is being proposed

Every option retains services at all community hospital sites in Powys, according to the board. Each also depends on expanding care in people’s homes and in the community, with the stated aim of reducing the need for hospital beds. The published options then place inpatient beds on fewer sites than now.

The programme covers adult physical health, adult mental health, urgent care and some diagnostic services. Proposed Urgent Care Centres would open from 8am to 8pm every day and offer a wider range of assessment, treatment and diagnostic services than current Minor Injury Units.

When residents can respond

The consultation is due to run from 5 October 2026 to 10 January 2027. The board plans 13 locality drop-in events across Powys as well as online events. Documents, accessible versions and the questionnaire are due to be published when the consultation opens.

Feedback will be independently collated and analysed. The board says it will consider the responses alongside alternative proposals and new evidence before a post-consultation decision case, currently planned for spring 2027.

Board chair Dr Carl Cooper said no outcome had been predetermined and asked residents to test the evidence and challenge the board’s thinking. Executive medical director Kate Wright said the proposals were intended to strengthen community services while retaining inpatient care for people whose needs could not safely be met at home.