Community hospital cuts could cause 'long-lasting damage', says Ed Davey

Cuts to community hospitals could cause "long lasting damage" to rural areas in Wales, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has warned.

Sir Ed said the Plaid Cymru Welsh government had "failed" on the NHS and was making "panic cuts" as a result.

He made the comments as Powys health board considers whether to reduce the number of community hospital beds from around 160 to 60, leaving inpatient wards in Brecon and Newtown only.

Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) said no final decisions have been made and it will decide at a board meeting on Wednesday if the plans are ready for a public consultation.

Sir Ed was taking questions ahead of the party's four-day autumn conference - which takes place in Brighton from Saturday.

One of its themes, he said, would be how to "fix" the NHS and social care.

He said the role of community hospitals as step-down facilities, where patients transfer from a main acute hospital to finish their recovery before returning home, was "absolutely crucial" and "good value for money".

"The problem we're seeing in Powys, and in other parts of rural Wales, is because the Welsh government, previously Labour now Plaid, has failed on the Welsh NHS, we're seeing waiting times far longer in Wales than in England.

"They're making these panic cuts and that's just not acceptable, they'll have long lasting damage to rural communities and their health services if they go ahead," he added.

Sir Ed said a "revolution in social care" was needed and the Liberal Democrats wanted to work on a cross-party basis to achieve this.

"We have to tackle this. It's been going on for far too long, it's costing a fortune and not providing the care we need," he added.

PTHB said it would meet on 16 September to look at the proposals which respond to "major challenges facing health services".

It added that all options retain services at all community hospital sites in Powys, and would also include significant steps to improve the community services available in people's homes.

"The recommendations being considered by the board have been informed by feedback from thousands of patients, residents, NHS staff and partner organisations over that last two years," said PTHB chair, Dr Carl Cooper.

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

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

If approved, the proposed consultation would run from 5 October 2026 to 10 January 2027.

The Welsh government said decisions about local NHS services were made by the relevant health board.

A spokesperson said: "Powys Teaching Health Board will shortly be considering whether the options developed for their clinical services plan should be put forward to public consultation. No decisions have yet been made.

"Any proposed changes to service must be subject to appropriate engagement and consultation with patients, staff, local communities and other stakeholders, in line with national guidance."

Elsewhere in the interview Sir Ed was asked about his party's performance in May's Senedd election, when the party failed to improve on the its single seat, despite having previously predicted the Welsh Liberal Democrats would "make gains".

He admitted the outcome was a "disappointing result", but noted the party had done well in places like Cardiff, Powys and Swansea, and hoped to "progress" in the Welsh council elections in 2027.