POWYS Teaching Health Board (PTHB) met on Friday (Jan 10) to discuss urgent financial measures required to address ongoing budgetary challenges, but a final decision has been deferred to a future public meeting.
The Board deliberated potential actions, including requesting hospital providers in England to reduce planned care activity such as outpatient appointments and inpatient procedures. These proposals, which aim to improve the health board’s financial position by March 2025, have sparked robust debate among board members due to their potential impact on patients.
Dr. Carl Cooper, Chair of PTHB, acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, stating: “We recognize the significant impact on patients waiting for planned procedures, especially given the rise in waiting times since the COVID pandemic. However, the financial pressures we face necessitate further action to ensure the board’s sustainability.”
Board members have agreed to continue discussions with English care providers to assess potential savings and finalize an integrated impact assessment. The date for the next public meeting to finalize these measures will be announced via PTHB’s official channels.
In the meantime, patients are advised to attend their appointments as scheduled.
Additional updates during the meeting included the implementation of a recruitment freeze and tighter controls on agency staff expenditures to address financial constraints.
For further information, the agenda and meeting papers from Jan 10 are available on the PTHB website. A recording of the meeting will also be posted soon.
