Powys hospital petition passes 2,000 signatures before consultation

A petition calling for a halt to reductions in Powys hospital beds and services has passed 2,000 signatures, ahead of a public consultation beginning on 5 October.

The Senedd petition had 2,318 signatures when checked at 08:04 BST on Thursday 24 September. It asks for an inquiry and debate on rural healthcare before any change to bed numbers, services or hospitals.

What the health board is proposing

Powys Teaching Health Board says no service changes have been decided. Its published options would keep services at every community hospital site but concentrate inpatient beds on fewer sites as care at home and in the community expands.

That distinction matters: retaining a hospital site does not mean retaining its present inpatient beds. Equally, the consultation announcement does not confirm the closure of whole hospitals.

The board cites rising demand and difficulty recruiting and retaining staff across a rural county. Its proposals cover adult physical and mental health, urgent care and some diagnostic services.

Two separate ways to respond

The health board consultation is due to run from 5 October 2026 to 10 January 2027, with 13 locality drop-in events and online sessions. Documents and the questionnaire are due when it opens. A decision case is planned for spring 2027 after feedback is analysed.

The petition is a separate route through the Senedd. It remains open until 22 March 2027. Its signature count has crossed the threshold for Petitions Committee consideration after collection closes; it has not secured a debate or changed health-board policy.

The Senedd says petitions with more than 10,000 signatures are considered for a debate. Reaching that figure does not guarantee one.