Officials say Machynlleth hospital is not under threat

Powys Local Health Board (PLHB) has met Machynlleth Town Council this week to reassure it that Bro Ddyfi Hospital will not be axed.

The temporary closure of wards caused by a lack of staff, had fuelled local concerns, said a town councillor.

However, he said that Wednesday's meeting had been "positive."

If rumours persist it makes it hard for us to recruit staff PLHB chairman Chris Mann

Bro Ddyfi Hospital has been the centre of much local controversy over the past year with staff shortages and illness blamed for the ward closures.

But PLHB chairman Chris Mann said the hospital's future was assured - along with nine other community hospitals in Powys - but "rumours" about it were making it difficult to recruit staff.

"The chief executive and I told the town council that the only plans we had for the hospital was to improve and enhance it," said Mr Mann.

"We've spent �100,000 on a new a new x-ray system, we've provided money for cardiac service and a new consultant physician for care of the elderly starts work in early September.

"These are tangible examples of our commitment to the hospital.

"But due to a lack of staff we've had to make temporary decisions."

Mr Mann, a former Powys county councillor, added: "If rumours persist it makes it hard for us to recruit staff.

"Who is likely to apply for a post if there's speculation about the hospital's future?

Wards have closed temporarily in the past due to a lack of staff

"We are committed to the hospital and we told the council that we required its help to get that message across to locals.

"The board is personally committed to keeping all 10 community hospitals in Powys open.

"The challenge is how we can modernise, improve and develop them."

Machynlleth Town Council and Powys county councillor, Michael Williams, said: "The meeting with PLHB on Wednesday was positive.

"We were pleased to hear from the board chief executive Andy Williams and chairman Chris Mann that they had no intention of closing Bro Ddyfi Hospital.

"They did say that rumours about its future had made it difficult to recruit staff, but it's difficult not to speculate when wards close temporarily from time to time due to a lack of staff."

Councillor Williams added: "The LHB officials said they were committed to the delivery of health services at the hospital."

In January, the health board said it was considering a plan for the partial demolition of the hospital.