Llanidloes has waited three years for the hospital upgrade

It is claimed that patients and their families are being left "in limbo" while a health board decides where to move a learning disabilities unit.

The three-bed unit was set up at Llanidloes War Memorial Hospital after the closure of Llys Maldwyn Hospital for people with learning disabilities five years ago.

The unit's location at Llanidloes has delayed a plan approved three years ago to renovate the building and unite GP and consultant beds.

Earlier this year a decision was made to move the unit to Robert Owen House in Newtown, a Powys social services building.

Patients and their families are being left in limbo while the development of Llanidloes hospital has been further delayed Councillor Gareth Morgan

But now a report by Gillian Todd, Powys Local Health Board's medical director, has thrown this move into doubt.

The report said the Newtown move could cost up to �550,000 and a move to Bronllys hospital, near Brecon is now being considered an option.

'Back to square one'

"I find the latest news to be unbelievable because I understood that the health trust had made detailed plans to move the unit to Newtown," said Llanidloes county councillor,Gareth Morgan.

"But now everything has been turned on its head and I frankly don't understand what Ms Todd is trying to do.

"Patients and their families are being left in limbo while the development of Llanidloes hospital has been further delayed.

"We are in effect back to square one again."

Gareth Morgan says the latest news is unbelievable

The move to Newtown was welcomed in February because it would have meant that current nursing staff would only have had to travel another 15 miles to Newtown to work.

Judith Coates of the nursing union Unison, has said they wanted to provide the best possible service for patients, although staff had to be considered as well.

Plans to move the unit to Newtown came after an initial decision in November 2002 to move the learning disability service to Gwent and Pembrokeshire.

But after local protests this move was abandoned.

Now Ms Todd's report has revealed that the cost of moving to Newtown would be between �430,000 and �550,000.

She was also worried that appropriate psychiatric cover would not be available at all times at Newtown

. A health board spokesman said moving the unit to Bronllys was only one option being considered and that the work was ongoing."