Better Together: Update following a meeting of the Board on 29 July 2026

My reflections on today’s Better Together Board discussion: Deb Wood-Lawson, Executive Director of People, Culture and Transformation

This week’s Board meeting included an important discussion about Better Together, our programme to work with communities, staff and partners to shape the future of adult physical and mental health community services in Powys. Board members received an assurance update on the work that has taken place so far and approved the consultation plan that would be used if the Board decides in September that proposals are ready for formal consultation. Importantly, no decisions have been made about the future shape of services.

I know that conversations about the future of health services matter deeply to people across Powys. They matter because they are about the health care we all rely on, the places that are important to our communities, and the staff who work every day to support patients and families.

The discussion focused on why change is needed, the evidence and engagement work that has taken place so far, and the steps being taken towards presentation of a Pre-Consultation Business Case to the Board in September. Board members heard how engagement with communities, staff, partners and stakeholders has helped shape the emerging work, alongside clinical advice, modelling, pathway testing and independent assurance.

Better Together not simply a review of existing services. It is about planning for future needs and ensuring health and care services remain sustainable for future generations. One of the most important points to emphasise is that no decisions have been made about the future shape of services. If the Board agrees on 16 September that the proposals are ready for consultation, then people across Powys will have the opportunity to look at them, ask challenging questions and share their views before any final decisions are made.

Board members also discussed what people have told us during previous engagement. While there is a strong attachment to local services, communities have also been clear about the need for services to be safe, effective, sustainable and designed around what matters most to local people. They have highlighted the importance of stronger community services, prevention, integration and equitable access, while recognising the particular challenges of providing services across a large rural county such as Powys.

If the Board agrees in September that proposals are ready for consultation, there will be opportunities to take part throughout Autumn, right across the county. After that, all of your feedback will be considered carefully and will directly inform and influence recommendations and decisions in spring 2027.

The consultation plan approved this week – and I stress that this is the plan for how consultation would take place, and not yet decisions on the options that will be put forward for consultation – includes  a range of ways for people to take part, including public drop-in events in all 13 Powys localities, outreach activity with community groups, independently facilitated focus groups, accessible consultation materials and independent analysis of the feedback received. More information will be available in September once details are confirmed.

We recognise that conversations about the future of services can create uncertainty and concern. That is why it is important that we continue to be open about the work taking place, clear about what stage we have reached, and committed to listening carefully to what people tell us.

I would encourage everyone with an interest in Better Together to follow the programme over the coming weeks and months, watch the Board discussion and sign up to our newsletters to receive regular updates.

The next key milestone will be the Board meeting on 16 September, when members will consider the Pre-Consultation Business Case and decide whether proposals should proceed to formal consultation. If that happens, there will be opportunities for people across Powys to have their say before any final decisions are made. We will ensure that information about this consultation is shared widely across the county.

I hope the video extract published with this article is helpful. It gives people the chance to watch the discussion from this week’s Board meeting, hear the update directly, and understand the next steps for Better Together.