#gpsurgeryclosure — Public Fediverse posts

Campaigners lodge formal complaint over Pontyates GP surgery closure plans

The move comes as the health board’s eight-week public engagement exercise draws to a close, with the Save Our Surgery group claiming the consultation has been flawed and lacking transparency.

In a letter sent to Hywel Dda’s Chief Executive Philip Kloer, campaigners outlined what they describe as “numerous concerns” about the integrity of the decision-making process. The complaint has also been shared with Welsh Government Health Secretary Jeremy Miles, patient advocacy body Llais, and local elected representatives.

Clare Treharne, who leads the campaign group, said residents had engaged with the consultation despite ongoing concerns.

“Since it was belatedly announced, we have encouraged the community to actively engage in the consultation exercise, but grave concerns remain about the way the Health Board has conducted this process and we felt it was our duty to record those formally.”

Strong turnout at public meetings

The complaint follows two public drop-in sessions held as part of the consultation.

A meeting at Pontyates Welfare Hall saw large crowds attend, with some residents forced to queue outside to voice their concerns. A second session in Pontyberem also drew steady attendance, including patients from Coalbrook Surgery, which could see a significant increase in patients if the closure goes ahead.

Residents raised concerns over whether neighbouring surgeries would be able to cope with an influx of patients, with fears over long waiting times and limited public transport options for those without access to a car.

Residents packed into a public meeting to discuss the future of Meddygfa’r Sarn GP surgery. (Credit: Papur y Cwm)

Jane Nicholas, who attended both sessions, said she remained unconvinced by the health board’s justification for closing the surgery.

“They pointed to the lack of salaried GPs at Meddygfa’r Sarn, but when challenged, they admitted that only one permanent doctor is employed at Minafon surgery in Kidwelly for twice the number of patients.

“They were also unable to reassure us about capacity at Coalbrook… that will not be sufficient to serve 3,000 extra patients transferring all at once.”

Concerns over report accuracy

Other residents have challenged claims made about the condition of the surgery building.

Angharad Rees, who works in Pontyates, questioned suggestions that the site is at risk of flooding.

“The surgery was purposely built on a raised platform to mitigate any risk,” she said, adding that landlords had not been informed of alleged defects mentioned in the report.

She also disputed suggestions that the building’s lease posed an issue, claiming the current owners are willing to renew it on existing terms.

Extra consultation session added

Amid growing concern, an additional drop-in session has now been scheduled at Carway Village Hall on March 31, running from 1pm to 6.30pm.

Campaigners and local councillors are urging residents to attend and complete the official survey before it closes on April 6.

However, the group has criticised the health board’s promotion of the consultation events, claiming they were advertised online only, leaving community volunteers to distribute printed materials locally.

Long-running campaign

The latest developments are the newest chapter in an ongoing row over the future of Meddygfa’r Sarn, which serves around 4,300 patients.

Swansea Bay News has previously reported on widespread community opposition, including protests, a human chain around the surgery, and warnings from councillors that confidence in the process has “collapsed”.

Campaigners say the fight will continue as they push for the surgery to remain open.

Related coverage: Pontyates GP surgery row

Future of Pontyates GP surgery in doubt
Plans to disperse 4,300 patients spark concern across the community.

Community backlash grows over closure fears
Residents warn losing the surgery would be a “massive blow”.

Hundreds protest to save Pontyates surgery
Large crowds gather as pressure mounts on decision-makers.

Councillors lose confidence in process
Local leaders raise serious concerns about how decisions are being made.

Eight-week consultation launched
Residents invited to have their say on the surgery’s future.

#CarmarthenshireNews #communityCampaign #GPSurgeryClosure #HywelDdaHealthBoard #Kidwelly #localHealthcare #MeddygfaRSarn #NHSWales #Pontyates #Pontyberem #PublicConsultation #SaveOurSurgery #WelshHealthNews

Health board to hold extra public meeting on controversial Pontyates GP surgery closure plans

The health board has confirmed it will hold a drop-in event at Carway Hall on Tuesday 31 March, between 2pm and 6.30pm, for patients and residents to share their views on the proposed closure of Meddygfa’r Sarn.

The announcement comes amid an ongoing eight-week engagement period, which was launched after the health board voted in January to seek feedback on a recommendation to disperse the surgery’s 4,300 patients to neighbouring practices.

That proposal has sparked a furious backlash from the local community, with hundreds of people attending protest meetings and councillors demanding the health board halt the closure plans.

In a statement, the health board said the surgery has faced what it describes as “ongoing and significant staffing challenges” and currently has no permanently employed GPs. The board also claims the building is small and offers limited facilities.

It says that a Vacant Practice Panel reviewed the options and recommended that the most sustainable long-term solution would be for patients to be transferred to their nearest neighbouring practice.

The health board added this may include Coalbrook Surgery in Pontyberem, Meddygfa Minafon in Kidwelly, or, for some patients, practices in Llanelli.

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said the extra meeting was a chance for more people to have their say.

“We’re pleased to offer this additional opportunity in Carway to ensure more people, particularly those in surrounding communities, have the chance to speak directly with us and share their views about what the proposal means for them.”

The health board has confirmed the engagement period runs until 6 April.

It said all feedback will be collated and presented to the board ahead of its meeting on 28 May, when a final decision is expected to be made.

The health board also confirmed that Meddygfa’r Sarn will remain open as usual during the engagement period.

Patients can also provide feedback by completing the questionnaire posted to their home address or online at haveyoursay.hduhb.wales.nhs.uk, by calling 0300 303 8322 (option 5), or by emailing [email protected].

#Carway #GP #GPSurgery #GPSurgeryClosure #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #Kidwelly #MeddygfaRSarn #NHS #Pontyates #Pontyberem

Council demands action on Pontyates surgery closure as councillors warn of “predetermined outcome”

The motion, proposed by Plaid Cymru councillors Alex Evans and Tyssul Evans and passed at today’s full Carmarthenshire County Council meeting, calls on both Welsh Government and Hywel Dda to explain why closure has been identified as the “preferred option” before full community consultation has taken place.

The debate saw 11 councillors speak, with powerful criticisms of the health board’s engagement process and warnings that neighbouring GP surgeries are already operating “beyond full capacity” and cannot absorb thousands more patients.

Cllr Alex Evans told the chamber that Hywel Dda had informed local councillors the current engagement “will not consider alternatives to closure, only the impact the closure would have.”

“That is not engagement on securing the future of a service, that is an engagement on managing its loss,” he said. “If an engagement does not consider an alternative, it inevitably creates the impression that the outcome has already been decided.”

He warned that relocating thousands of patients to already stretched practices “will not remove pressure from the system, it just redistributes it.”

“Our communities should not have to suffer the consequences of a national failure of government to train, recruit and retain GPs,” Cllr Evans said, noting that around 100 GP surgeries have closed in Wales since 2012 whilst GP numbers have barely increased since 2008.

“Closure must be the last option, not the easiest one,” he concluded.

Public transport nightmare

Cllr Tyssul Evans highlighted the absurdity of public transport options for patients without cars, revealing that whilst Pontyates and Kidwelly are less than six miles apart by direct route, patients relying on buses would face a 15-mile journey one way via Llanelli, or a 20-mile journey via Carmarthen.

“This means a six-mile journey becomes either a 30-mile or 40-mile round trip for elderly, disabled, or vulnerable patients needing regular appointments,” he said.

Cross-community solidarity

Cllr Liam Bowen, representing Pontyberem, said the manager of Colebrook Surgery in his village was supporting the campaign to save Meddygfa’r Sarn, despite the practice being prepared to take displaced patients if necessary.

He revealed that Colebrook already has over 5,000 registered patients, and local people are concerned that adding thousands more following the closure of Tumble Surgery and potentially Pontyates would lead to unacceptable waiting times.

“The residents of Pontyberem are standing firmly with the residents of Pontyates,” Cllr Bowen said. “Closing Sarn surgery is another example of care services being taken out of our rural communities.”

Pattern of failed consultations

Independent councillor Sean Rees delivered a devastating critique of Hywel Dda’s consultation processes, listing multiple examples where community engagement had failed to meaningfully consider alternatives.

“Local GP surgeries are not simply just buildings where appointments take place, they are the front door to our national health service,” he said.

Cllr Rees said he had spoken to many Llanelli-based GP practices, and many were already operating “at full capacity, and many would say they are beyond that.”

“Appointment books are filled within minutes. Patients speak of repeated attempts to try and get through on the phone at 8am in the morning,” he said.

“To simply suggest that thousands more patients can be absorbed into a system without any consequence at all is just simply not credible.”

He cited failures in consultations over the minor injuries unit at Prince Philip Hospital, last week’s clinical services plan outcomes, the relocation of the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol service, and ongoing questions regarding blood testing services that were due to move to Pentre Awel last year but remain unresolved.

“When these commitments are made and when timelines slip without clear explanation, confidence erodes and trust weakens,” Cllr Rees said.

“If a board’s report has already identified closure as a preferred option before any full community consultation, then it is absolutely entirely understandable that the residents will fear that the outcomes are predetermined. That undermines trust and once that public trust is damaged it is extremely difficult to rebuild. We simply cannot allow this pattern to continue.”

Housing growth contradicts closure

Cllr Steve Williams questioned how the closure could be justified when new housing is being built in the area and the population is rising.

“What is the Senedd doing to ensure that primary care is available to those that need it the most?” he asked, demanding Welsh Government oversight on healthcare planning.

Community protest

Cllr Meinir James noted that over 200 local residents and councillors had formed a human chain around the surgery on Monday in a “Cwtsh or Sarn” solidarity event, following a petition that has gathered over 1,000 signatures.

Impact on neighbouring surgeries

The motion highlighted that if Meddygfa’r Sarn closes, Colebrook Surgery in Pontyberem would receive an extra 3,000 patients – a 60 per cent increase – taking its total to 8,000, whilst Minafon in Kidwelly would gain 1,000 extra patients, taking it to over 9,000.

National workforce crisis

Cllr Evans told councillors that according to Llais, 91 per cent of GPs say they cannot meet patient demand in Wales, and BMA Cymru has warned of a GP workforce crisis, with alarmingly over 10 per cent of GPs under 40 leaving the workforce in 2023.

He said Welsh Government is spending a “record low 6 per cent of the budget on Primary Care” at a time when services are being reduced not because they are no longer needed, but because the workforce is not there.

Minor dissent

Two councillors raised concerns about the motion’s tone. Cllr Michael Thomas claimed it was “too negative” and didn’t outline alternatives, whilst Cllr Martyn Palfreyman criticised what he called “partisan comments” from Cllr Alex Evans in blaming Welsh Government.

Cllr Evans disputed the partisan claim, saying he had not mentioned any political parties and that the opposition Labour group had not submitted any amendments to the motion despite having the opportunity to do so.

What the motion demands

The motion calls on Welsh Government to explain what steps are being taken to prevent GP surgery closures across Wales and to ensure that alternatives to closure are genuinely considered in all cases.

It demands that Hywel Dda University Health Board publish its Health Impact Assessment and Equality Impact Assessment, explain why closure was identified as the preferred option before full consultation, and publish its assessment of all alternatives to closure.

The motion was passed following the debate.

#CarmarthenshireCouncil #CarmarthenshireCountyCouncil #CllrAlexEvans #CllrLiamBowen #CllrMeinirJames #CllrSeanRees #CllrSteveWilliams #CllrTyssulEvans #GPSurgery #GPSurgeryClosure #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #Kidwelly #MeddygfaRSarn #Pontyates #Pontyberem

MS raises alarm over Pontyates GP closure as fears grow surgery is being “wound down”

Mr Waters said he has been contacted by a large number of residents who fear the village could lose its only GP surgery without a genuine attempt to save it. He has now written to the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board demanding answers on recruitment, consultation and the future of primary care in the area.

In his letter, the MS said local people were “deeply concerned” that closure was being presented as inevitable rather than a last resort. He said patients had raised “serious and credible questions” about whether alternatives had been explored at all.

He also questioned the Health Board’s handling of staffing issues. Constituents, he said, had reported “no recent visible attempt” to recruit new GPs or partners, despite workforce shortages being cited as a key reason for shutting the surgery. Some patients claim expressions of interest from GPs were not followed up, and that roles such as practice manager were not properly advertised.

Mr Waters said these concerns “require clear and evidenced answers”.

The MS also challenged the rationale around the building itself. He said residents disputed claims about flooding risk and suitability, and questioned why alternative premises in the community had not been seriously considered.

In his Facebook post, Mr Waters said access to GP services “matters hugely in rural communities”, especially where public transport is limited and neighbouring practices are already under pressure.

He said patients and staff “deserve clear answers” and insisted that local voices must be properly heard before any final decision is made.

The letter calls on the Health Board to set out exactly what steps have been taken to retain GP provision in Pontyates, what alternatives to closure have been assessed, and how patient feedback will influence the outcome.

Letter from Llanelli MS Lee Waters raising concerns with Hywel Dda University Health Board about the proposed closure of Meddygfa’r Sarn in Pontyates.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Residents step up fight to save Pontyates GP surgery
Campaigners say confidence in the Health Board’s process has collapsed as pressure grows locally.

Councillors say they’ve lost confidence in Health Board process
Local councillors raise concerns about transparency and the handling of the closure proposal.

Health Board launches eight‑week consultation
Hywel Dda opens a formal consultation as the future of the surgery remains uncertain.

Pontyates surgery gets temporary lifeline
A final decision is delayed, giving the community more time to make its case.

Councillors demand halt to closure plans
Elected members call for the process to be paused amid growing public concern.

Future of Pontyates GP surgery in doubt
The Health Board considers dispersing all 4,300 patients to neighbouring practices.

#doctorsSurgery #GPSurgeryClosure #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #LeeWatersMS #MeddygfaRSarn #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery

Councillors say they’ve “lost all confidence” in Health Board’s process over Pontyates surgery closure

The three councillors — Tyssul Evans, Meinir James and Alex Evans — issued a joint statement after an online engagement session held by Hywel Dda earlier this week. They say the meeting raised “deeply troubling” concerns about how the Health Board is handling the eight‑week engagement exercise, which began on 9 February.

According to the councillors, Health Board officials confirmed that the engagement will not consider alternatives to closure and will instead focus solely on the impact that shutting the surgery would have on local communities. They say this makes the process fundamentally flawed.

The councillors also say Hywel Dda admitted it has not attempted to recruit a salaried GP for over a year, and would not commit to making a further attempt before the Board meets in May to decide the surgery’s future.

They claim a senior officer told them that Health Board policies do not require community engagement at all, and that a decision to close the surgery could have been taken at the January Board meeting without any public involvement.

Concerns were also raised about the number and timing of in‑person drop‑in sessions, with councillors saying several affected villages have been excluded and that no evening sessions have been arranged. They say some residents may receive notification only a week before the first session takes place.

In their joint statement, the councillors said the meeting had left them with “no alternative” but to go public.

“Following the answers given and the attitudes displayed by Hywel Dda representatives during the online engagement session held on Monday evening for local councillors, we have lost all confidence in this engagement exercise,” they said.

“Learning that alternatives to closure will not be considered as part of the engagement was, in our view, the final straw. Given that the Health Board has already had to publicly apologise to our communities for how this proposal was first announced, we expected a far greater level of care to be taken to ensure that this process was fair, open and credible.”

They added that while they continue to urge residents to take part in the engagement, they now believe a separate, full public consultation with independent oversight will be required if the future of the surgery is to be decided “fairly and transparently”.

The councillors’ intervention marks a significant escalation in the row over the future of Meddygfa’r Sarn, which serves around 4,300 patients. Swansea Bay News has previously reported on the community backlash, calls for a halt to closure plans, and warnings that dispersing patients across neighbouring practices could leave residents facing long journeys and reduced access to care.

Responding to the councillors comments, Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said:

“We recognise the vital role that GPs play in supporting the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, and we understand the strength of feeling locally about Meddygfa’r Sarn.

“We also recognise that some people have raised concerns about trust in the engagement and decision making process. I want to reassure residents, patients and elected representatives that no decision has been reached about the future of the practice.

“At our January meeting, the Board agreed to an eight‑week period of engagement to help us better understand the potential impacts of the Vacant Practice Panel’s recommendation and to hear directly from the communities affected. This approach is in line with Welsh Government guidance on consultation and engagement.

“The recommendation was made by the Vacant Practice Panel because of ongoing challenges in sustaining the practice, including difficulties in securing long‑term clinical cover, and the need to ensure safe, consistent and high‑quality care for patients.”

Mr Carruthers added:

“We welcomed the opportunity to meet with local councillors earlier this week and we value their involvement and challenge as part of this process.

“We know that confidence in engagement is built through listening and openness, and over the coming weeks we are committed to hearing carefully what people tell us, including concerns, experiences and what the potential benefits and impacts could be should Meddygfa’r Sarn’s patients be dispersed to other practices locally.

“We will ensure that the feedback received is fully and fairly considered by the Board at its meeting in May. The purpose of this engagement is to inform our understanding before any decision is taken, and we encourage residents and stakeholders to take part so their voices shape the discussion.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Eight‑week consultation launched on Pontyates surgery
Hywel Dda began its engagement exercise as residents warned the closure would hit vulnerable patients hardest.

Pontyates surgery gets temporary lifeline
The Health Board delayed its decision after mounting pressure from patients and community leaders.

Councillors demand halt to closure plans
Local representatives urged Hywel Dda to pause the process amid concerns over transparency and fairness.

Community backlash grows over proposed closure
Residents warned losing the surgery would be a “massive blow” to Pontyates and surrounding villages.

Future of Pontyates surgery in doubt
Hywel Dda considered dispersing all 4,300 patients to neighbouring practices.

#CllrAlexEvans #CllrMeinirJames #CllrTyssulEvans #GPSurgeryClosure #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery