News

Llais responds to concerns raised about Powys Teaching Health Board’s ‘Better Together’ engagement process

Llais is aware of growing public concern regarding Powys Teaching Health Board's (PTHB) Better Together programme. We understand why people are anxious. Powys is a large, rural county and any changes will have a direct impact on most - if not all – people's access to healthcare. Concerns raised directly with us include issues such as access, local provision, cross-border care, travel and public transport, and workforce pressures. As the independent body that represents the views and experiences of people using health and social care services in Wales, we make sure that any engagement process around a change to services is transparent, inclusive and meaningful, and that people’s voices are heard and properly considered. As of the date this statement was published, no proposals have been confirmed and shared by Powys Teaching Health Board. We were not involved in the development or selection of any of the options being considered for the final proposals.

We attended a recent deliberative event as an observer. After this, we formally wrote to the Health Board to raise concerns and seek clarification and assurance on a number of issues.  These included the transparency of the process, how the original range of options was assessed and reduced, the limited public visibility and understanding of the emerging proposals, the balance of participation at the event, the accessibility of the information presented, and whether sufficient time was allowed for full discussion and deliberation.

Our focus now is on making sure that people have meaningful opportunities to influence what happens next and that there is clear evidence that public feedback has been considered before decisions are made.

At the deliberative event hosted by the Health Board we sought assurance from that feedback gathered through engagement activities will be taken into account as proposals are developed and decisions are made.

We will continue to listen to people’s concerns, represent those views independently, and challenge the process where we believe greater transparency, accessibility or public involvement is needed.

We also encourage anyone with views or concerns about the future of services to take part in formal engagement opportunities with Powys Teaching Health Board.

Katie Blackburn, Regional Director for Llais Powys, said:

"People across Powys need clear reassurance that their voices will genuinely shape the future of local services - not just be gathered as part of a routine consultation.

“We have formally raised concerns with Powys Teaching Health Board about the clarity of the process, how options have been developed, how people are going to be involved, and how the public will be able to understand and influence what happens next.

“In a rural county like Powys, decisions about local services can have a significant impact on people's lives. It is essential that engagement is accessible, inclusive, and reflects the experiences of communities across the county.

People must be able to see how their concerns about travel, access, local provision and equity are being heard and reflected before decisions are made.”

Back to news