Machynlleth and Llanidloes hospitals to lose all inpatient beds under new proposals

Plans are being pushed forward that will halve inpatient beds in Powys and remove them completely from Llanidloes and Machynlleth hospitals.

At its meeting on 16 September, the Powys Teaching Health Board will consider whether its ‘Better Together’ proposals are ready for formal public consultation.

Papers from the meeting show the health board proposes reducing inpatient beds from the current 146 across eight community hospitals to as little as 60 across three or two sites in Brecon, Llandrindod Wells and Newtown.

Under both options presented, inpatient beds would be removed from both Llanidloes and Machynlleth hospitals.

Llanidloes and Machynlleth residents requiring community inpatient care would access services in Newtown, the report said.

Machynlleth hospital would also lose its x-ray provision under the plans, also transferred to Newtown.

Other proposals will see urgent care concentrated at Brecon and Newtown, and adult and older adult inpatient mental-health services consolidated onto a single site in the Brecon area.

Powys Teaching Health Board said the proposals “respond to major challenges facing health services.”

“People are living longer, often with several long-term conditions; demand is rising; and recruiting and retaining the workforce needed to sustain small services across a large rural county is becoming increasingly difficult,” the health board said.

“Better Together asks how NHS services should evolve over the next 10 years and beyond so they remain safe, effective and sustainable, while helping more people stay well, remain independent and receive care at home or closer to home.”

The health board said that no decisions have yet been made, and all options “retain services at all community hospital sites in Powys.”

Dr Carl Cooper, Chair of Powys Teaching Health Board, said: “The Board is being asked to consider whether these proposals are ready to be examined through formal public consultation.

“Our responsibility is to consider whether the evidence, options and supporting information are sufficiently developed to progress to this important next step.

“If consultation is approved, we want people to test the evidence, challenge our thinking, and help inform what happens next.

“The recommendations being considered by the Board on 16 September have been informed by feedback from thousands of patients, residents, NHS staff and partner organisations over that last two years.

“This is not currently a decision on the future configuration of services.

“Such decisions could only be made following full and meaningful consultation.”

Kate Wright, Executive Medical Director, said: "Harm from prolonged hospital stays have become well evidenced.

“It is clear that a health system that can provide more care in community settings would deliver better care and outcomes for patients.

“These proposals explore how we can provide safe, high-quality care for future generations, support more people to stay well and independent, and retain inpatient care for those whose needs cannot safely be met at home.”

If approved, the proposed consultation would run from 5 October to 10 January 2027.

Consultation feedback, alternative proposals and new evidence would be considered before a final recommendation will be considered by the Board in spring 2027.