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Health Board endorses timeline for decisions on Temporary Service Changes in Powys

Latest review of temporary changes finds that patients are being admitted to care environments better suited to their clinical needs, which benefits their experience, safety and outcomes.
Decisions on the permanent future shape of services set to be made through Better Together consultation later this year.

31/03/26

Powys Teaching Health Board has reconfirmed the timeline for making decisions on the temporary service changes first introduced in November and December 2024.

Detailed discussion took place at a meeting in public of the Health Board on 25 March 2026, where members reviewed the latest detailed evaluation of the temporary arrangements, including Minor Injury Units (MIUs) and the Rehabilitation and Ready to Go Home Units. The Board noted strong evidence that the changes continue to improve safety, resilience and patient experience, with no evidence of harm identified during the extended period of monitoring.

This latest assessment drew on feedback from hundreds of voices including patients, public, staff, and partner organisations across the county – alongside a wider review of experience, safety and outcomes.

Based on this assessment the health board agreed that given the overall benefits of these temporary service changes for the people of Powys they should remain in place during 2026, with decisions on the permanent future shape of pan-county adult physical and mental health community services due to be made through a formal consultation later this year as part of the county’s Better Together programme.

What the Evaluation Shows

  • Improved patient flow and reduced delays – co-located units have helped reduce out of county delays and improve length of stay for patients recovering closer to home.
  • Safer staffing and better training – the new model has removed lone working and strengthened peer support.
  • More reliable services – unplanned MIU closures have fallen dramatically, improving consistency for patients.
  • Positive patient and staff feedback – patient experience remains consistently good, and staff report better support and clearer pathways.

Providing a more specialised care environment means that patients are not necessarily admitted to their most local community hospital, but receive care in the ward best suited to meeting their clinical needs.

The Board acknowledged the continuing strength of feeling about the temporary changes, and also noted the benefits of bringing patients with similar needs together in a dedicated ward environment – whether this is patients who are ready to go home, or those needing more intensive rehabilitation.

Next Steps

  • The temporary changes will remain in place while the Health Board considers long‑term options for community hospital services as part of the Better Together programme.
  • A full public consultation on future service models will take place later this year, once the Board has reviewed the final options.
  • Ongoing monitoring will continue, with any concerns escalated through the Health Board’s quality and safety processes.

A Commitment to Listening

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

“I would like to thank the hundreds of patients, staff and community members groups for sharing their views and experiences. Today’s decision is about maintaining safe, reliable services now, while we continue the vital work through Better Together to design the best model for the future.”

Find out more and stay in touch

More information about the temporary changes, including the background and reasons for change, and the recent period of engagement and review, is available from https://pthb.nhs.wales/temporary-2026 

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