Page 23 - The Next Ten Years

BRONLLYS: THE NEXT TEN YEARS (2020-2030)
5.1.3 Health & Well-being
As with Older People above, there are fears that provision at Bronllys Community Hospital will be reduced or lost altogether. While these fears may be unfounded, until significant investment in Bronllys Community Hospital is apparent, they are likely to persist and have adverse impacts on people’s sense of well-being.
5.1.4 Environment
Recognising the unique character and setting of Bronllys Community Hospital and its many natural assets, the local community is concerned to retain and develop them and is still mindful of the perceived threat of commercial housing on the site.
5.1.5 Transport
Reduction in investment in public transport has had a significant impact on the local community. People on low incomes cannot afford the costs of travel to places of employment; older people cannot easily access the services they need. Of necessity, car use is high, unavoidable and costly in rural areas. Villagers who can’t or no longer drive feel cut off from towns and other facilities.
5.1.6 Employment and Housing
These issues have been outlined in 4.1.3 above but, together with the above, combine to create anxiety and a lack of well-being, as well as practical challenges, which currently the communities are unable to address.
5.1.7 Residual Concerns
With the selling off of the Mid Wales Hospital in Talgarth in 2000, local anxiety about the potential fate of Bronllys Hospital remains. This, with the lack of General Hospitals in Powys, the largest land area in Wales, heightened concerns. Recent reassurances from the Health Board’s CEO Carol Shillabeer are welcomed:
“The health board is committed to maintaining the Bronllys hospital site as a fully operating hospital and the main administrative centre ...Further increases in staff numbers are anticipated on site with the general development of services and we are currently in the design stages to develop the Basil Webb building into a health and Care Academy. This extra activity is positive and exemplifies the health board’s commitment to the site”.
5.2 Aspirations, Specific Desires & Opportunities
5.2.1 Aspirations as Expressed Through 2016 Survey
In June 2016 Bronllys Community Council carried out a survey intended to capture local desires for the Bronllys Community Hospital site. Of the 54 questionnaires
©Bronllys Well Being Park (CLT) Limited 2020
Page 22