‘VIRTUAL wards’ and community-led services are the future for public services in Powys amid £70 in budget cuts, with the council leader this week declaring traditional methods dead.

Community delivery days are being held across the county over the next month – including sessions at Knighton, Brecon and Llandrindod Wells – to discuss how local organisations can take over the delivery of services, and what services are most important to that community.

And residents from Hay-on-Wye are being urged to speak up, or face losing their services completely.

Health Board chief executive Bob Hudson praised virtual wards as an example of how more localised systems can help deliver care, in its case, lowering hospital admissions.

A similar system has been recently introduced across the border in Hereford designed to ensure patients receive much of their non-essential treatment and rehab at home, freeing up hospital beds.

He said: “Working more closely with the council and community groups has shown real benefits to the community with the virtual ward model reducing the number of hospital admissions,

“We need to look at how we can continue this work into the future.”

This approach will also be applied across all public services, with the council leader Barry Thomas urging residents to get involved.

He said: “Traditional methods are gone forever.

“The challenge facing us is daunting and cannot be faced by the council acting alone.

“Some services will have to be delivered differently .

“Strong communities with active organisations will play a key role in retaining and delivering services for local people, or run the risk of services disappearing altogether.”

A morning and afternoon workshop will be held in each of the region’s main towns, with the roadshow reaching Knighton on October 3, Llandrindod Wells on October 6 and Brecon two days later.

For more information contact Melanie Hardwick on 10597 826 160 or consultation@powys.gov.uk .