HEREFORDSHIRE Council leader Roger Phillips has warned the Welsh Assembly that there would be “resistance on both sides of the border” if devolution policies prevented patients from Wales being treated at Hereford County Hospital.
A cross-border forum this week heard Councillor Phillips confirm 13 per cent of patients now treated in Hereford travel from Wales.
“Any policy move to block cross-border healthcare could have a detrimental impact on the functional and financial viability of Here-ford’s acute hospital trust,” said Coun Phillips.
“Residents in Herefordshire, Breconshire, and Radnor-shire would resist strongly any move to upset the delicate balance of healthcare in the area.”
Hereford is the nearest hospital for many living along the Welsh borders. The issue is made more pressing for Powys as a whole with plans for a new radiotherapy cancer care centre at Hereford.
A statement from Hereford County Hospital said it had no plans to cease treating Welsh patients and Powys Local Health Board had strongly indicated a wish to continue sending even more patients to the hospital.
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