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I am currently waiting for a right hip replacement and have now reached approximately 94 weeks on the waiting list. During this time, my condition has deteriorated significantly.

Blip questions to be answered by PTHB

On February 3rd, campaigners from the Better Lives in Powys  campaign team, attended a “Your Health Services” drop-in event organised by the Powys Teaching Health Board  as part of its Better Together  programme. Photo: from left to right - campaign team: Bekah, Mel (local organiser), Lois, Klara, at the drop-in event.  Talking to people at the event allowed the campaign team to collect valuable stories and encourage attendees to complete their survey on experiences with the

I’m 51 and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my left hip in February 2025. I’ve been offered either a steroid injection or a hip replacement—but I’ve been told I would have to wait 104 weeks for treatment.

I feel absolutely frustrated regarding my treatment for two slipped disks. For 18 months, I have lived in constant, debilitating pain, only to find out that I have been placed on a 104-week waiting list. What makes this even harder to accept is the lack of transparency. I have undergone three pre-ops and three MRI scans, only to have three separate operations cancelled. Despite calling the hospital regularly for updates, I have never been given a clear or valid reason for the

Better Lives in Powys is stronger when more voices are heard. There are many ways to support the campaign: Share your experience — whether it’s recent or from the past Engage in respectful discussion with others Follow and share BLIP updates Help raise awareness in your community You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to be an expert. Simply being willing to share and listen makes a difference. BLIP is about collaboration — between individuals, communities, an

I waited well over twelve months just to be referred to a consultant for my eye operation. During that time my vision was severely affected — everything was distorted and I couldn’t see properly. To make matters worse, my referral notes were lost between my GP and the hospital, which caused further delays. I was eventually offered surgery three months later. The delays were largely due to cross-border issues, as my records from the Welsh Health Board were not accessible to t

I shared this story in October 2025, and it’s one I never imagined I’d be telling. I need a new hip and a new knee. But before they’ll even consider doing either surgery, I have to have steroid injections in my hips. Under Hereford, I was told the wait should have been between one and three months. I’ve been waiting since March 2025. As of October 2025, that’s already seven months — and I’ve now been told it could be around another ten months before I even get the injections.

“My name is Dot Griffiths , and I’ve been waiting for knee surgery since June 2024 . What I miss most is playing with my granddaughter — running around with her, picking her up, even just spending time on the floor with her. It’s the little things I used to take for granted that hurt the most now. Every day, I live with pain that makes even the simplest things — walking to the shop, getting out of a chair, visiting friends — a real struggle. When I was told, I might have to w

When we talk about better lives , it can sound like a slogan. But in Powys, it’s something much more grounded, personal, and real. A better life might mean being able to see a GP without travelling miles. It might mean support that arrives before a situation reaches crisis. It could be having a voice in decisions that affect your family, your care, or your community. For others, it’s about dignity, independence, and being listened to. Powys is a place of strong communities, w