We are writing to introduce the Better Together programme, which is Powys Teaching Health Board’s promise to work together with our key stakeholders and local people to review how and where we provide services, to ensure safety, to improve quality, and to make best use of resources.
We hope that the information in this email and the attachments provides a helpful overview of the Better Together programme. Representatives of the health board will also be attending the forthcoming events with Powys County Council and Town and Community Councils, providing an opportunity to share more information and hear your views.
Responding to change
We have experienced lots of big changes in recent years, including the COVID-19 Pandemic, rising demand for treatments, more people living longer with multiple health conditions, growing waiting lists, and large increases in the cost of fuel, food and other bills. Together these changes also mean that our current health services cost more than we can afford.
As our population and society changes, we understand that our health and care services need to change too. We need your insights to help us find ways to keep delivering the quality services our population needs into the future. Full details of the kinds of challenges we are facing are described in the summary and full case for change documents, but some of the most pressing include:
- Setting out a clear plan to best meet the needs of our communities over the next 10 to 25 years, and helping people to stay well.
- Making sure we focus on the needs of the future, not the legacy of the past.
- Responding to changes in illnesses and treatments, as well as investing more into preventing ill health.
- Building a sustainable workforce and reducing our need for expensive agency staff.
- Improving our buildings and facilities so they can support future needs.
- Meeting our legal duties and responsibilities, including our Duty of Quality which is summarised in the image on the right. Our decisions must be guided by Safety, Timeliness, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity and putting the Person at the Centre of their Care.
- Developing future options that Wales can afford, and
- Building on the learning and the talents of the people here in Powys.
Listening to your views
Our summary Case for Change asks for feedback and insight so that we can develop a shared understanding of the problems we must solve. The document also explains why we think “no change” is not an option. It brings together views from hundreds of health and care staff in Powys, and it builds on feedback already shared with us from patients, service users, our partner organisations and the general public through compliments, concerns, complaints, surveys, focus groups and other feedback routes.
We are keen to hear your views about:
- what is good about health services in Powys (strengths)
- what is poor or not working so well (weaknesses)
- what ideas you might have that could help us improve (opportunities)
- what might get in the way and stop us making the improvements we need, and
- what changes are needed?
Timescale
We welcome your views on the “Case for Change” by 25 May 2025.
After this period of engagement on the “Case for Change”, we will work with you to review the services we provide and commission. We aim to focus on different service areas in turn. Based on the feedback we have received from health and care staff, we expect to focus on community services and adult mental health services during 2025.
You can also sign up for our free Engagement News service which sends information directly to your in-box about opportunities to have your say on health board services.
Alongside this summary “Case for Change”, you can:
- Read our more detailed “Case for Change” document which is being shared alongside this summary
- Watch our short video
- Share your views through our online survey and other feedback channels
- Visit our Better Together web pages to find out more
- Encourage conversations in your community
- Email, write or call us to ask for printed versions of the documents:
- Call us on 01874 442917
- Write to us at: Better Together, Powys Teaching Health Board, Glasbury House, Bronllys Hospital, Bronllys, Powys LD3 0LY
- Email us at: powys.engagement@wales.nhs.uk
We look forward to hearing from you. Together we will build a vision for safe, quality health services of which we can all be proud.
Yours sincerely
Dr Carl Cooper, Chair
Hayley Thomas, Chief Executive Officer
Vale of Grwyney Community Council 