A POLICY that forced people in the Forest to be treated in Welsh hospitals is to be scrapped.

A ruling brought in last September by the South Wales-based Aneurin Bevan Health Board meant patients at a number of Forest surgeries – including those at the Wye Valley Practice in St Briavels, Vauxhall Practice in Tutshill and the Town Gate Practice in Sedbury – should only be referred to Welsh hospitals.

The ruling also affected 3,500 English residents registered with a Welsh surgery along the Herefordshire border.

But on Saturday, at a packed public meeting at St Briavels Pavilion, it was announced that the health board is to reverse its policy.

Pam Plummer, chairman of pressure group, Action4ourCare, met with officials from the health board, who confirmed they would be recommending the change at a board meeting today (Wednesday, July 24).

For more on this story, read The Forester.