Builth Launches B.A.C.H. Campaign with Vote of No Confidence in LHB 16/11/06
Over 600 people turned out on a cold and rainy night in Builth
Wells to formally launch the campaign group B.A.C.H. Builth
Against Closing Hospitals.
Jonathon Morgan, Chairman of BACH opened the meeting saying it was exactly a year ago to the day since Andy Williams, Chief Executive of Powys LHB had promised the town its hospital was safe in his hands. Subsequent events had questioned his credibility and honesty. He had not been invited to this event, as the time for negotiating was past - now Builth just had to say 'No!' to the LHB's plans to close its hospital down.
The first words were from Glenys Price, chairman of the "Friends", who gave a brief history of the hospital. She said it had been built with local money 109 years ago, and that whenever it had been under threat, local people had rallied to its defence.
Rev. Phil Morris then delivered a rousing speech roundly condemning
Powys LHB. He expressed his grave concern at the way the LHB had
mislead the community with false promises of a new hospital.
The hard work that many in the community had put in to develop a
positive change in the provision of health services had come to nothing.
He urged all "to write protest letters to Mansion
Towers [the LHB's headquarters is Mansion House] or should I say
Ivory Towers - no, Fawlty Towers".
Ann Morgan spoke next and detailed the Boards current proposals
effectively closing Builth Hospital by removing beds, X-ray and casualty.
This was followed by County Councillor Lil Jarman Harris who organised
a vote of no confidence in the Chair and Chief executive of
Powys LHB. The motion was passed unanimously and BACH promised
to send this on to Health Minister Brian Gibbons who does have
the authority to dismiss these board members.
Dr Richard Walters ,a GP at Builth and Llanwrtyd Medical Practice
spoke of his support for Builth Hospital and the other threatened
hospitals at Bronllys, Knighton and Llanidloes. He spoke of
the Welsh Assembly Plan "Designed for Life" and expressed
concern that many people in rural areas could be left miles
and miles from acute hopsital services. He commented further
"All of us here tonight are not bad, nasty people. We’re
angry, angry because we’re ignored.
Something seems drastically wrong with this LHB for things to have got like this".
Local AM Kirsty Williams then spoke about the forthcoming CHANT
rally on Wednesday 22 November. All at the meeting were urged
to attend. She referred to earlier speeches saying that the
LHB had lied not ignored.
Comments from the floor included
a statement from a senior nurse at the hospital. She talked
of the complete lack of support for nursing staff from
Powys LHB managers - "in five years time they may just think
we're competent to sew a button on a pair of pyjamas".
Jonathon Morgan finished the meeting by launching the BACH
campaign, which had adopted the town's bull symbol. He asked
people to sign the petitions, write letters, give their time,
energy and expertise to the campaign, as well as raising money,
and support public protest events such as attending the CHANT
rally and a candlelight public vigil for the Hospital in early
December.
Over £900 was raised on the night for the Fight Fund!
Report from DD (mid) - many thanks