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Green light for temporary changes to some MIU and ward-based services in Powys

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Powys Teaching Health Board has today (10 October 2024) approved proposals for temporary changes to some minor injury and ward-based services in the county. 

At a meeting in public of the Board, members approved a recommendation to temporarily change the opening hours for Minor Injury Units in Brecon and Llandrindod Wells to 8am to 8pm, and also agreed a temporary change to the clinical model for inpatient care in Brecon, Bronllys, Llanidloes and Newtown. 

The Health Board agreed that both proposals should be introduced on a temporary basis for a 6 month period. A timetable for implementation will now be agreed, with both changes expected to be in place by December. 

The Health Board’s aim is to respond to a number to challenges facing the NHS and local patients, to improve quality and value, and to stabilise the delivery of key services so that discussion and debate can take place with the public, staff and wider stakeholders to agree the future permanent shape of safe and sustainable health services in the county. 

Dr Carl Cooper, Chair of Powys Teaching Health Board, said: 

“We are grateful to the many people, groups and communities that have participated in the engagement exercise regarding the proposed temporary service changes. The Board has given full and conscientious consideration to all the feedback. We have also scrutinised the benefits of the proposals together with the risks of not addressing the challenges to the quality and sustainability of services. Consequently, we have agreed that the implementation of these temporary changes is the best and appropriate way forward. These changes will be subject to review and evaluation, and their effectiveness will be considered by the Board at the end of the six-month, temporary period.  The feedback we have heard from the public, staff, GP Practices and partners has helped us develop a clear framework for learning, review and evaluation." 

Following the decisions of the Board, the following temporary changes will take place by December 2024: 

  • The Minor Injuries Unit in Brecon will open from 8am to 8pm (currently 24 hours although the service is subject to frequent overnight closures at short notice) 

  • The Minor Injuries Unit in Llandrindod Wells will open from 8am to 8pm (currently 7am to midnight although the service is subject to frequent early closures at short notice) 

  • Graham Davies Ward in Llanidloes will have a strengthened focus on patients who are assessed as Ready To Go Home 

  • Brynheulog Ward in Newtown will have a strengthened focus on patients who are assessed as requiring more specialised rehabilitation in a community hospital setting 

  • Llewelyn Ward in Bronllys will have a strengthened focus on patients who are assessed as Ready To Go Home 

  • Epynt Ward in Brecon will have a strengthened focus on patients who are assessed as requiring more specialised rehabilitation in a community hospital setting 

Hayley Thomas, Chief Executive of Powys Teaching Health Board, said: 

“Today’s decisions also included key steps to respond to the concerns that we heard during the engagement period, for example by clarifying that end of life care will continue to be provided in Bronllys and Llanidloes hospitals, and step-up care will continue to be available for GP admissions. We will be working with GPs and other partners to implement clear clinical admission criteria to help us provide the best care in the right place for Powys patients.” 

Claire Roche, Executive Director of Nursing, Quality, Women and Children’s Health for Powys Teaching Health Board said: 

“We are confident that this temporary model of inpatient care will help us deliver better outcomes and experience for our patients. 

“Importantly, the number of community hospital beds and their locations remains unchanged across the county. But by giving a clearer focus to wards in Bronllys and Llanidloes as ‘Ready To Go Home’ units we can provide more focused care for people who are ready to go home but are waiting for a package of care in the community. We can help people to remain mobile and active, which is important to reduce the risk of deconditioning in a hospital setting. 

“Similarly, we can ensure a faster recovery for more patients by strengthening the role of wards in Brecon and Newtown for the provision of specialised inpatient rehabilitation. This builds on their existing role as our centres for stroke rehabilitation. 

“The remaining community hospitals in Powys would continue to provide care for patients in the way that they do now.” 

Kate Wright, Executive Medical Director of Powys Teaching Health Board said: 

"These temporary changes will allow our Minor Injury Units to provide a more reliable service. 

“During the engagement period we heard a lot of misunderstanding of the role of Minor Injuries Units. We cannot stress strongly enough that these units are for the treatment of minor injuries only. They are not for life or limb-threatening injuries or for major illnesses. 

“In an emergency people should call 999 or go to A&E. Visiting an MIU with an urgent medical condition can delay access to life-saving care.” 

The health board will launch a marketing campaign ahead of the change in MIU opening hours, which is expected to begin during November. Other urgent care services such as 111 and ShropDoc are unchanged. 

The agenda and papers for the meeting of the Health Board on 10 October 2024 are available from the Health Board website at 10 October 2024 - Powys Teaching Health Board (nhs.wales)

A recording of the meeting will also be available from the website shortly. 

Regular updates on the temporary changes will be presented to future meetings of the Board. 

 

Released: 10/10/2024