A 14 week consultation has begun today on plans that will affect emergency care and women and children's health services for Newtown patients across the border in Shropshire.
The Future Fit programme has taken years to get to consultation stage and cost millions.
But from today the programme board will consider options that include the preferred one to have emergency care, women and children's services based in Shrewsbury.
There had been a campaign to have A&E services transferred to Telford, meaning longer travel time for emergency ambulances taking patients from Montgomeryshire.
A major exhibition event is also scheduled for 3.30pm to 7.30pm on 28th June in the Elephant and Castle in Newtown, when doctors and nurses from Shropshire hospitals will visit the area to explain why changes to hospital services are needed, answer questions and listen to views.
Montgomeryshire AM, Russell George said: "I can't stress enough how important it is for the people of Montgomeryshire to respond to this consultation in order to be able to get the best deal for the people of north Powys.
"I have been unashamedly in favour of the preferred option which sees services retained and strengthened in Shrewsbury which is centrally located to serve the healthcare needs of the wider region and those of us here in Montgomeryshire who access health services from across the border.
"This important consultation has been a long time coming but now that it is here, we all need to ensure that we get the right result for the current and future healthcare needs of the people of Powys for today's generation and for generations to come."
Local health campaigner and county councillor Joy Jones has urged local people to take part in the consultation.
"It affects our future and that of the future of our families and future generations," she said.
"This is not being overly dramatic because it is our health care, and not just any healthcare but lifesaving emergency care.
"Please don’t allow the powers that be make the decisions for you as to where you should receive your immediate care in an emergency situation.
"This is the final consultation to decide where our emergency A&E unit is to be situated.
"Once this decision is made we won’t be able to turn back the clock."
Option 1 which is the preferred option:
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital: 24-hour Emergency Department, Critical Care Unit, Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit, Emergency surgery and Medicine Complex, planned surgery, Women and children’s consultant-led inpatient services
At the Princess Royal Hospital: Planned inpatient surgery, day case surgery, Endoscopy, breast inpatient services and medical wards
Option 2
Princess Royal Hospital: 24-hour Emergency Department, Critical Care Unit, Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit (AEC) Emergency surgery and medicine Complex planned surgery Women and children’s consultant-led inpatient services.
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital: Planned inpatient surgery, day case surgery, Endoscopy, breast inpatient services, medical wards.
On both sites 24 hour Urgent Care Centre, adult and children’s outpatient services, Day Case Renal Unit Tests (diagnostics), midwife-led unit Antenatal Day Assessment Unit, Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS) Maternity outpatients and scanning.
