Pledge on hospital and hub for Newtown made in manifesto

The plans were revealed in the Welsh Conservative manifesto for the Senedd elections in May and the candidate for Montgomeryshire, Russell George, said that new facility would see a cutting edge, state-of-the-art new community hospital and health and care facility for Newtown.

The town currently has the Newtown County Infirmary on the Llanfair Road.

Other pledges include a £250 million Rural Road Fund and investment in main roads in Mid Wales and bringing back what is described as the best of the Welsh Development Agency & Development Board for Rural Wales.

Following the manifesto launch yesterday, Mr George said that his party had outlined strong commitments in its manifesto to support the upgrading of health facilities, and to support the economy of Mid Wales. “Powys Teaching Health Board, working with our local council, has submitted plans for a new healthcare facility,” he said.

“I have been actively supporting these proposals, but I am disappointed that the current Welsh Government has not given the plans the go-ahead.

“As Welsh Conservatives, we are committed to approving the plans which would see a cutting edge, state-of-the-art new community hospital and health care facility in Mid Wales, which would offer more services locally. We will bring forward a new NHS Hospitals and Buildings Recovery Fund to allow us to finance this brand new community hospital and health hub.

"The new facility would also improve health and wellbeing services in our area, with enhanced health checks and appointments being offered locally, rather than having to travel out of county.

“It would work with the current network of community hospitals in Machynlleth, Llanidloes and Welshpool and district general hospitals around our borders, to ensure we receive the right treatment much closer to home.

"My hope is that even before this facility is built, the proposals will attract more health professionals to our area. Whilst the new facility would take some time to build, it is positive the ground work has been done.”