There have been protests in Ceredigion over claims two hospitals could close

Powys Local Health Board (LHB) chief executive Andy Williams will address concerns about Builth Wells hospital at a public meeting on Wednesday night.

The board must make savings of �6.9m by March 2006.

Similar meetings have been held in Ceredigion about the future of Tregaron and Cardigan hospitals.

Last month, Brecon and Radnor Community Health Council (CHC) said the budget deficit in Powys could result in the temporary closure of hospitals in Llanidloes, Bronllys near Brecon, and Builth Wells.

But CHC chief officer Bryn Williams said the LHB had stressed that this would be a "last resort".

Brecon's Bronllys hospital is one of three under threat, says the CHC

The Reverend Phillip Morris, secretary of Builth Wells hospital's friends, who called the meeting, said patients could be left having to travel to Brecon or Llandrindod Wells for treatment.

He said people in rural areas needed the same level of service as those in more populated areas.

Powys LHB has already made savings of �5.5m, but a �1.4m shortfall remains.

Last month, the CHC said new GP and consultants' contracts, new out-of-hours services, an increased drugs bill and extra money for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to treat Welsh patients had all taken effect on the LHB's budget.

The fears surrounding the two hospitals arose after Ceredigion AM Elin Jones claimed Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust faced a budget shortfall of �1.1m.

However, the trust said no decision had been taken, but it and Ceredigion LHB were looking at options for saving money.