Shropshire Star

Newtown's health needs ignored again says councillor

The health needs of a town are being ignored, a councillor has claimed.

Published

Earlier this week it was announced that a pot of £68 million would be spent on 19 health and care centres across Wales – but Newtown will not benefit from the investment.

In Powys, a centre in Machynlleth will be re-configured and extended to create a primary and community care hub, with other plans for Llanfair Caereinion primary care centre.

But Councillor Joy Jones, who has been a key health campaigner in the town for many years has repeatedly called for more investment in Newtown, and specifically the minor injuries unit.

She is angry that the town has been ignored by the Welsh Government's latest round of investment.

She said: "I am really cross that they have yet again ignored us here in Newtown.

"We are desperate for investment here, we have said time and time again, and time and time again they have ignored what we have said.

"They keep saying they have us in mind, they consider us, but how many years does it take to consider us.

"People are getting fed up, again the public feel like they have been forgotten about."

The new investment in the Welsh health service is set to bring NHS and community services together under one roof, and will include 11 new hubs and GP centres, as well as carrying out refurbishment at existing clinics and centres.

Housing associations, and councils will also be involved in the hub and the Welsh Government's health secretary has insisted the move will make a significant difference, as people can receive care closer to home.

The centres will be delivered across the seven Welsh health boards in Wales by 2021.

In Powys, a centre in Machynlleth will be re-configured and extended to create a primary and community care hub, with other plans for Llanfair Caereinion primary care centre.

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said: "People in the 21st Century expect to be treated in modern, advanced health care centres that deliver a wide range of services all under one roof."