#meddygfar-sarn — Public Fediverse posts

PONTYATES: Green Party candidate calls for independent review of Meddygfa’r Sarn closure process — citing missing equality assessment and lack of pre-consultation engagement

A Green Party candidate has called on Hywel Dda University Health Board to pause its decision on the future of Meddygfa’r Sarn in Pontyates – warning that a full Equality Impact Assessment has not yet been completed, and that no community engagement was undertaken before a preferred option was identified.

Michael Willis, Green Party candidate for Carmarthenshire in Thursday’s Senedd election, made the call following the Freedom of Information disclosure obtained by the Save Meddygfa’r Sarn Working Group and reported by Swansea Bay News, which he says raises serious questions about whether every reasonable option has been exhausted before recommending the closure of the surgery.

The FOI disclosure states that no community engagement was undertaken before managed dispersal was identified as the preferred option. It also confirms that an Equality Impact Assessment – intended to examine the impact on older residents, disabled patients, Welsh-speaking patients and those without access to private transport – will not be completed until the 28 May board meeting itself, rather than having informed the recommendation at an earlier stage.

Willis is calling for a full independent review of GP recruitment efforts at the surgery since Hywel Dda took over its management in 2017, alongside publication of all options considered – including incentives, shared roles, training practice status, alternative premises and branch-service models. He is also calling for a capacity assessment of receiving practices before any patient transfer is approved.

“The people of Pontyates deserve more than a closure proposal dressed up as inevitability,” he said. “If the Health Board is relying on recruitment failure as a central reason for dispersing patients, then residents are entitled to see clear evidence of a sustained, targeted and imaginative recruitment effort for this surgery.”

The FOI disclosure revealed that the health board made no targeted attempts to recruit a salaried GP to the practice in nine years – despite citing a lack of recruitment interest as a key reason for recommending closure. The only recruitment activity recorded was a small number of circular letters sent to locums already working across managed practices in Carmarthenshire.

The campaign to save Meddygfa’r Sarn has been running since January, when Hywel Dda first proposed dispersing all 4,300 patients to other surgeries. Campaigners lodged a formal complaint over the consultation process, submitted a 52-page report and sustainability document to the board, and held a human chain around the surgery. Independent candidate and surgery patient Carl Peters-Bond has also called on the board to scrap the closure proposal, describing the board’s recruitment claims as “duplicitous.”

Willis said the issue went beyond a single surgery. “A GP surgery is not simply a building. It is continuity of care, local trust, access for older people, support for families, and a key part of community infrastructure. Once lost, services like this are rarely restored,” he said.

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s position, as set out in its January report, is that the practice is “entirely locum-dependent” and that there has been “little interest in recruitment to salaried roles” – the characterisation that campaigners and candidates dispute.

The health board began an eight-week engagement period on 9 February, running until 6 April, ahead of a board decision expected at Yr Egin in Carmarthen on 28 May. Under the proposal, patients would be transferred to nearby practices including Coalbrook Surgery in Pontyberem, Meddygfa Minafon in Kidwelly, and some practices in Llanelli.

Willis said managed dispersal should be treated as a last resort rather than a default. “Hywel Dda should pause the process, publish the full evidence base, and work with residents on a credible rescue plan before any irreversible decision is taken,” he said.

The final decision on the future of Meddygfa’r Sarn will be made at the Hywel Dda University Health Board meeting on Wednesday 28 May at Yr Egin in Carmarthen.

Our Meddygfa’r Sarn coverage

FOI reveals no specific recruitment attempts for Sarn surgery GP in 9 years
Our original report on the recruitment revelation.

Independent candidate and surgery patient calls on Hywel Dda to scrap closure
Carl Peters-Bond’s reaction to the FOI revelation.

Residents submit 52-page report as confidence in health board process collapses
How the Save Meddygfa’r Sarn Working Group has fought the closure proposal.

#Carmarthenshire #GreenParty #HywelDdaNHS #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #PontIets #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery #SeneddElection2026

PONTYATES: Independent candidate and surgery patient calls on Hywel Dda to scrap Meddygfa’r Sarn closure after FOI recruitment revelation

An independent Senedd candidate who is himself a patient at Meddygfa’r Sarn has called on Hywel Dda University Health Board to scrap its recommendation to close the Pontyates surgery – after Freedom of Information documents revealed the board made no targeted attempts to recruit a salaried GP to the practice in nine years.

Carl Peters-Bond, Mayor of Kidwelly and independent candidate for Sir Gaerfyrddin, said the FOI revelation directly contradicted the impression given in the health board’s own January report, which cited a lack of recruitment interest as a key reason for recommending closure.

“This is duplicitous, beyond fairness, and misleading behaviour from Hywel Dda,” he said. “They cited a lack of recruitment interest as justification for closing this surgery – but they never actually tried to recruit anyone. Sending a circular letter to locums already on the books is not a recruitment campaign. Those responsible for presenting this to the board in the way they did need to be held to account.”

The FOI documents, obtained by the Save Meddygfa’r Sarn Working Group and reported by Swansea Bay News last week, show that since Hywel Dda took over management of the practice in 2017, the only recruitment activity undertaken was a small number of circular letters sent to locums already working across managed practices – asking whether any wished to take up salaried roles. No targeted recruitment campaign was ever run specifically for Meddygfa’r Sarn.

Peters-Bond also raised concerns about the consultation process itself, which he said had failed to ask the right question. “The health board’s consultation only asked people about the impact of the closure – not whether the closure should happen at all,” he said. “That is not a fair or genuine consultation. In light of what these FOI documents have revealed, I am calling on health board bosses to scrap the closure proposal entirely and go back to the drawing board.”

The campaign to save Meddygfa’r Sarn has been running since January 2026, when the health board first proposed dispersing all 4,300 patients to other surgeries. Hundreds of residents protested and the council demanded action in February as fears grew the outcome had been predetermined by the health board. Campaigners held a human chain around the surgery in February and lodged a formal complaint over the consultation process in March.

The working group subsequently submitted a 52-page report and sustainability document to the board alongside a new clinical proposal for the surgery’s future. A temporary lifeline was granted when the board delayed its final decision in January – but that decision is now due on 28 May.

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s January report stated that the practice was “entirely locum-dependent” and that there had been “little interest in recruitment to salaried roles” – the characterisation that Peters-Bond disputes.

The final decision on the future of Meddygfa’r Sarn will be made at the Hywel Dda University Health Board meeting on Wednesday 28 May at Yr Egin in Carmarthen.

Our Meddygfa’r Sarn coverage

PONTYATES: FOI reveals no specific recruitment attempts for Sarn surgery GP in 9 years
Our original report on the FOI revelation that prompted this reaction.

Senedd candidate joins campaign to save Meddygfa’r Sarn as pressure on health board mounts
Our previous coverage of Carl Peters-Bond’s involvement in the campaign.

Future of Pontyates GP surgery in doubt as health board considers dispersing all 4,300 patients
Our original report when the closure threat first emerged.

#CarlPetersBond #HywelDdaNHS #MeddygfaRSarn #PontIets #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery #SeneddElection2026

PONTYATES: FOI reveals no specific recruitment attempts for Sarn surgery GP in 9 years as decision day looms

The campaign to save a rural GP surgery in Carmarthenshire has uncovered what campaigners say is a damning revelation – that the health board managing Meddygfa’r Sarn in Pontyates made no specific attempts to recruit a salaried GP to the practice for nine years, despite citing a lack of interest as a key reason for its closure recommendation.

Freedom of Information documents obtained by the Save Meddygfa’r Sarn Working Group reveal that since Hywel Dda University Health Board took over management of the practice in 2017, the only recruitment efforts made were circular letters sent to locums already working across managed practices in 2021, 2023 and 2024 – asking whether any wished to take up salaried roles. The surgery has been without a salaried GP since February 2025, and apart from one GP recruited in 2021 who left the same year, no targeted recruitment campaign has ever been run for Meddygfa’r Sarn specifically.

Campaigners say this directly contradicts an impression given in the health board’s own January report on the surgery, which stated: “The Practice is entirely locum-dependent currently and there has been little interest in recruitment to salaried roles.” The FOI documents suggest that limited interest may have been a consequence of limited effort.

Jane Nicholas, speaking on behalf of the working group, said the health board’s approach showed a lack of vision. “Despite not having any salaried GPs at present, we do feel well supported by the surgery,” she said. “We have continuity of care as many of the locums have worked at Meddygfa’r Sarn for years. It’s a great team and we really value being able to access care locally and get an appointment when needed. Being seen promptly at the local surgery keeps patients away from A&E which is a cost saving in the long run. The Health Board’s recommendation shows a lack of vision and forward planning.”

The FOI documents also reveal that Meddygfa’r Sarn is far from alone in its reliance on locums. Minafon surgery in Kidwelly – which would receive approximately 1,000 extra patients under the proposed dispersal plan – is itself 83% reliant on locum staff. Other managed practices are between 29% and 77% reliant on locums, raising serious questions about the capacity of receiving surgeries to absorb thousands of displaced patients overnight.

Retired nurse Janet Knott, who served the NHS for 52 years including many years in the Gwendraeth area, warned that the proposed mass dispersal of patients would place enormous strain on receiving surgeries and their staff. “The Health Board’s plans would see thousands of patients transferred overnight. That is very worrying for patients but also for the staff at the other surgeries, particularly the reception staff, who would have to field calls from many more anxious patients,” she said. She added that the people of the Gwendraeth valley felt “let down and discriminated against” by the proposals.

Janet and Jane spoke to Dylan Ebenezer on Radio Cymru’s Dros Frecwast programme on 23 April – the same day the S4C party leaders debate took place at Yr Egin in Carmarthen, with health and NHS spending taking centre stage. Following the interview, Janet surprised Dylan by revealing a personal connection – she had supported his mother-in-law during her time in Glangwili’s maternity unit after giving birth to his wife, and Dylan had long heard stories of a nurse named Janet who had been particularly supportive. He insisted on a photograph to share with his wife.

The working group has submitted a 52-page report and separate sustainability document to the health board, alongside a new proposal from a clinical team to provide services at Meddygfa’r Sarn. Hundreds of patients attended three public engagement events or responded in writing during the consultation process.

Campaigners are concerned that the FOI documents – which arrived too late to inform their formal submission – may contain further significant revelations. They are continuing to work through the material.

The surgery serves patients across the Gwendraeth valley, and campaigners say its closure would leave a vulnerable rural community without accessible local primary care, pushing patients towards already-stretched services in Llanelli and Carmarthen.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has been approached for comment.

A final decision on the future of Meddygfa’r Sarn will be made at the Hywel Dda University Health Board meeting on Wednesday 28 May at Yr Egin, Carmarthen. Campaigners will be attending in person, and the proceedings can be followed online – details will be published on the Hywel Dda website.

Our Meddygfa’r Sarn coverage

Senedd candidate joins campaign to save Meddygfa’r Sarn as pressure on health board mounts
Political pressure grows as the Senedd election campaign focuses attention on the surgery’s future.

Campaigners lodge formal complaint over Pontyates GP surgery closure plans
The working group escalates its challenge to the health board’s process.

Hundreds protest to save Pontyates GP surgery as council demands action
Community anger spills over as councillors demand the health board think again.

Residents step up fight to save Pontyates GP surgery as confidence in health board process collapses
The campaign intensifies as trust in the consultation process breaks down.

Pontyates surgery gets temporary lifeline as health board delays final decision
A stay of execution – but the final decision is now set for 28 May.

Future of Pontyates GP surgery in doubt as health board considers dispersing all 4,300 patients
Our original report when the closure threat first emerged.

#GPRecruitment #HywelDdaNHS #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery

PONTYATES SURGERY: Senedd candidate Carl Peters-Bond joins campaign to save Meddygfa’r Sarn as pressure on health board mounts

Independent Senedd candidate and Kidwelly Town Mayor Carl Peters-Bond has publicly backed the campaign to save Meddygfa’r Sarn in Pontyates, joining a growing list of political figures demanding that Hywel Dda University Health Board halt its closure plans.

Peters-Bond, who is standing as the Sir Gaerfyrddin and Kidwelly constituency candidate at the upcoming Senedd election, is himself a patient at the surgery. He met with campaign co-ordinator Clare Treharne outside the practice to hear residents’ concerns and discuss the growing frustration with the process being led by the health board.

He said the surgery was far more than a building to the people who relied on it. “Pontyates Surgery is not just a building — it is a lifeline. For many residents, especially older people and those without transport, losing this surgery would mean losing access to basic healthcare. That is simply unacceptable,” he said.

Peters-Bond said he had been struck by the strength of feeling among patients and campaigners. “I’ve spoken to patients, campaigners and local councillors. The message is the same every time: people feel ignored, sidelined and worn down by a process that seems designed to reach a predetermined outcome. This community deserves better,” he said.

Independent Senedd Candidate, Carl Peters-Bond with Meddygfa’r Sarn campaign organiser Clare Treharne

The campaign to save Meddygfa’r Sarn has gathered considerable momentum in recent months. Hundreds of residents have attended protest events, a petition has passed 1,000 signatures, a human chain was formed around the building, and campaigners have lodged a formal complaint about the way the consultation process has been handled. Local councillors have repeatedly said they have lost confidence in the health board’s approach.

Peters-Bond warned that closure would have knock-on consequences across the wider rural healthcare system. Patients dispersed to other practices would pile pressure onto already overstretched surgeries, travel times for appointments would increase sharply for those without cars, and vulnerable residents would face new barriers to accessing even routine care.

He said the pattern of rural communities losing services first was one that had to end. “Rural communities like Pontyates are always the first to lose services and the last to see investment. This pattern has to end. Healthcare should be based on need, not postcode,” he said.

He is calling on Hywel Dda University Health Board to halt the closure process, publish transparent evidence for any proposed changes, engage meaningfully with residents and campaigners, and commit to maintaining GP provision in Pontyates.

Carl Peters-Bond speaking with Meddygfa’r Sarn campaign organiser Clare Treharne

“People have lost trust in this process — and with good reason. The health board must reset its approach, listen to the community and guarantee that GP services will remain in Pontyates,” Peters-Bond said.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has not yet responded to the latest calls for the process to be paused.

Swansea Bay News coverage of the Pontyates Surgery campaign

Campaigners lodge formal complaint over Pontyates GP surgery closure plans
How residents escalated their concerns after losing confidence in the health board’s process.

Hundreds protest to save Pontyates GP surgery as council demands action
The human chain, the packed public meetings and the growing political pressure.

Health board to hold extra public meeting on Pontyates GP surgery closure plans
How the health board responded to the campaign — and why campaigners remained unconvinced.

Council demands action on Pontyates surgery closure as councillors warn of ‘predetermined outcome’
The full story of the council motion and the accusations against the health board.

#CarlPetersBond #HywelDda #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #Kidwelly #MeddygfaRSarn #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery

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

Hundreds protest to save Pontyates GP surgery as council demands action

Over 100 supporters formed a human chain around the surgery on Tuesday, 24th February, in a ‘Cwtsho’r Sarn’ solidarity event designed to show the strength of feeling in the community against the closure plans. The protest came as Hywel Dda University Health Board held a drop-in engagement session in the nearby Memorial Hall, which saw hundreds of worried residents attend to voice their concerns.

Hywel Dda is currently holding an eight-week consultation on the future of the surgery, with its preferred option being to disperse the practice’s 3,000 patients to other surgeries in the area.

Hundreds of worried residents packed the nearby Memorial Hall for a drop-in engagement session organised by Hywel Dda health board, with queues forming outside at times. Image: Papur y Cwm

Organisers of the human chain, which had been planned as a highly visual show of solidarity, said they were delighted with the strong turnout. They were joined by local councillors and received backing from Senedd members including Adam Price and Cefin Campbell.

Llanelli MS Lee Waters, who has previously raised the alarm over the surgery’s future, pledged to continue advocating on behalf of patients. He said: “Local GP services matter. They’re about access, continuity of care, and supporting the health of the whole community.”

Residents form a human chain outside Meddygfa’r Sarn in Pontyates, holding banners including “Keep Care Close to Home – Pontiets Needs Its Surgery” as part of the Cwtsho’r Sarn solidarity event on Tuesday 24th February. Image: Papur y Cwm

At the engagement event, residents raised concerns about the capacity of the neighbouring Coalbrook surgery in Pontyberem to absorb the extra patients, citing access issues, limited parking, and long waiting times.

Long-term patient Ffani Cattran, 77, felt that concerns about transport for those without cars were not adequately addressed. “They haven’t taken on board the transport issues and are assuming that people will be able to get lifts, which is neither fair nor reasonable,” she said. “This is a deprived area with historic health inequalities from its industrial past.”

Staff from Meddygfa’r Sarn surgery in Pontyates show their support for the campaign to keep the practice open. Image: Papur y Cwm

The protests follow a decision by Carmarthenshire County Council on 25th February to demand action from the Health Board. The council passed a motion to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, asking for alternatives to closure to be properly considered. The council will also write to Hywel Dda’s Chair and Chief Executive to request that a Health Impact Assessment and an Equality Impact Assessment are published and considered before any final decision is made.

The campaign’s petition to save the surgery, which has gathered approximately 3,000 signatures, is set to be considered by the Senedd’s Petitions Committee on 2nd March.

#Carmarthenshire #CwtshoRSarn #GPSurgery #GPSurgeryClosure #HywelDda #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #NHS #Pontiets #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery #protest

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

Pontyates residents to form human chain around surgery in ‘Cwtsho’r Sarn’ solidarity event as petition tops 1,000 signatures

The “Cwtsho’r Sarn” event – meaning “hug the surgery” in Welsh – will see residents encircle Meddygfa’r Sarn at 3.30pm on 24 February to demonstrate how much the facility means to the community.

The solidarity event has been deliberately scheduled to coincide with Hywel Dda University Health Board’s drop-in session at the nearby Memorial Hall, where officials will listen to patients’ concerns about the proposed closure.

Christine MacTavish, who has been a patient at Meddygfa’r Sarn since 1982, said:

“We want to show Hywel Dda how much we value our surgery and the staff that work there.”

The campaign has gathered remarkable momentum since residents launched a fresh fight to save the surgery earlier this month, with more than 1,000 people signing a Senedd petition in just three weeks.

Organisers hope supporters will attend both the Cwtsho’r Sarn event and the subsequent Hywel Dda drop-in session.

“We want residents to tell the Health Board how vital the surgery is to them and how difficult it will be for vulnerable people to access health care if the closure goes ahead,”

said campaign group leader Clare Treharne.

Save Our Surgery campaigners Clare Treharne and Jane Nicholas holding bilingual posters urging residents to oppose the planned closure of Pontyates GP Surgery.

Campaigners say Hywel Dda may have underestimated the strength of feeling locally, with residents angry that the Health Board appears to have had initial discussions with third parties and made plans for closure before informing patients.

David Priest, a founder member of the group and a resident in the area since the 1970s, said:

“Residents are well informed and know the history of their surgery better than officials and are ready to robustly challenge the rationale for closure and expose its flaws.”

The online petition, which runs until 1 March, will be considered by the Petitions Committee of the Senedd in their meeting in early March. Alongside the petition, the campaign group will submit detailed written evidence challenging the case for closure made by the Health Board.

Clare Treharne added:

“Many of the reasons cited by Hywel Dda do not stand up to scrutiny and we feel that some are deliberately misleading. We have highlighted these in our evidence to the committee and we very much hope that members will recommend that the Health Board reconsider its plans.”

The campaign has already secured significant political support, with Llanelli MS Lee Waters raising alarm over fears the surgery is being “wound down” before any final decision has been made.

Local councillors have also said they’ve “lost all confidence” in the Health Board’s process and formally demanded a halt to the closure plans.

The future of Meddygfa’r Sarn was first thrown into doubt in January when Hywel Dda announced it was considering dispersing all 4,300 patients to other practices.

The Health Board launched an eight-week consultation in February after delaying a final decision following intense community pressure.

Residents have warned that losing the surgery would be a “massive blow” to Pontyates and surrounding villages, with vulnerable and elderly patients facing significantly worse access to healthcare.

#GPSurgery #GPSurgeryClosure #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #petition #Pontyates #PontyatesMemorialHall

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.

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Residents step up fight to save Pontyates GP surgery as confidence in health board process collapses

The proposal emerged last month when the health board confirmed it was looking at dispersing the surgery’s 4,300 patients to practices in Kidwelly, Trimsaran and Pontyberem. The news spread quickly on social media, prompting a wave of concern across the Gwendraeth Valley.

Community forms working group as fears grow for vulnerable patients

A local working group has now been set up to coordinate the response. Resident Clare Treharne, who is leading the effort, said the proposal had “galvanised the whole community”, describing the surgery as a lifeline for people who rely on local access to healthcare. She said campaigners were going door‑to‑door and directing residents to a new website set up to share information.

Another resident, Jon‑Paul Hunter, who built the site, said people without cars could face taking two buses to reach alternative surgeries if Meddygfa’r Sarn closes. He warned that the plan risked leaving vulnerable patients cut off from routine care.

Campaigners also point to Hywel Dda’s own modelling, which suggests Coalbrook Surgery in Pontyberem could see its patient list rise by around 60% under the proposal. They say that level of pressure would affect both existing patients and those transferred from Pontyates.

The village pharmacy, Harlow & Knowles, is supporting the campaign and is distributing copies of the petition and a patient survey.

Councillors say they have ‘lost all confidence’ in the process

Tensions escalated earlier this week when local councillors issued a statement saying they had “lost all confidence” in Hywel Dda’s engagement process. The criticism followed an online briefing on 12 February, during which councillors said the health board showed little willingness to consider alternatives.

Their concerns echo issues raised in recent weeks across the Gwendraeth, where residents have repeatedly questioned whether the engagement exercise is meaningful. The health board has launched an eight‑week engagement period, which runs until April, before the board considers the issue in May.

Health board says no decision has been made

Hywel Dda says no final decision has been taken on the future of Meddygfa’r Sarn. Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said the board recognised the strength of feeling locally and understood concerns about trust in the process.

He said the engagement period was designed to gather feedback before any decision is made, adding that the recommendation to disperse patients came from the Vacant Practice Panel because of “ongoing challenges in sustaining the practice”, including difficulties securing long‑term clinical cover.

Carruthers said the health board welcomed the involvement of local councillors and was committed to listening to residents over the coming weeks. He said all feedback would be “fully and fairly considered” before the board meets in May.

Campaigners vow to keep fighting

Campaigners say they will continue to oppose the closure and want the health board to work with the community “in good faith” rather than, in their view, presenting the proposal as a foregone conclusion. They say the next few weeks will be crucial as the engagement period continues.

#campaignGroup #GPSurgeryClosure #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #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.”

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Health board launches eight‑week consultation as future of Pontyates GP surgery hangs in the balance

The move comes after months of community anger, political pressure and repeated warnings from residents that losing Meddygfa’r Sarn would be a “massive blow” to the village. The health board had been expected to make a final decision last month, but delayed the vote following a fierce backlash and calls from councillors to halt the closure plans.

Now, officials say they want to “listen carefully” before deciding whether to press ahead with the recommendation to shut the practice and transfer patients to surgeries in Pontyberem, Kidwelly or Llanelli.

The engagement period runs from 9 February to 6 April, with questionnaires being posted to every household and drop‑in events planned in Pontyates and Pontyberem.

Hywel Dda says the surgery has faced “ongoing and significant staffing challenges” for years and currently has no permanently employed GPs. The building itself is described as small, outdated and offering “limited facilities”.

In October, the health board convened a Vacant Practice Panel — a process used when a GP practice can no longer sustain itself — which concluded that dispersing the patient list was the “most sustainable long‑term solution”.

But the proposal has sparked deep concern in the Amman Gwendraeth area, where residents say the surgery is a lifeline for older people, those without transport and families who rely on being able to see a doctor locally.

Local councillors have repeatedly urged the health board to rethink, warning that neighbouring practices are already under pressure and that dispersal could leave vulnerable patients travelling miles for care.

In a statement launching the engagement period, Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda, acknowledged the strength of feeling.

“We understand the impact this proposed change has had on the local community in Pontyates and so we want to listen carefully to the views of those most affected,” he said.

“Your feedback will help us explore what support may be needed and will inform the Board when it considers the recommendation in May.”

Residents can return paper questionnaires to Meddygfa’r Sarn or Pontyates Community Pharmacy, complete the survey online, or attend one of two public drop‑in sessions:

Tuesday 24 February, 1pm–6.30pm, Pontyates Welfare Hall
Tuesday 3 March, 3pm–6pm, Pontyberem Memorial Hall

Feedback can also be submitted by phone or email by emailing [email protected], and Llais — the statutory patient voice body — is gathering views separately.

All responses will be presented to the health board ahead of its meeting on 28 May, when the future of the surgery will finally be decided.

For now, Meddygfa’r Sarn remains open as usual — but the community knows the clock is ticking.

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Pontyates surgery gets temporary lifeline as health board delays final decision

Hywel Dda confirmed today that it will not immediately adopt a recommendation from its Vacant Practice Panel to close the Pontyates site and disperse all 4,350 patients to neighbouring practices. Instead, the Board said it will “hear the views of patients and the local community” before making a final decision in May.

The recommendation to close the surgery was first set out by the Vacant Practice Panel, which Hywel Dda convened in October 2025 “in line with national guidance” to review long‑term options for Meddygfa’r Sarn. According to the health board, the panel examined continued health board management, mergers with neighbouring practices, procuring a new provider, and managed dispersal. Hywel Dda said the panel concluded that dispersal “offered the most sustainable long‑term solution”.

The Board discussed that recommendation at its meeting on Thursday but agreed to pause the process and begin an eight‑week engagement period from Monday 9 February to Monday 6 April. Hywel Dda said the purpose is to understand “the potential impacts” of the proposal and what support may be needed if the closure goes ahead.

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said the Board had a duty to ensure patients could access “safe, high‑quality and sustainable GP services”.

“We recognise that this recommendation may mean significant change for patients and communities, which is why it is essential that we take the time to listen before making a final decision,” he said. “The engagement period will allow people to share their views, ask questions, and help inform the Board’s decision in May.”

Hywel Dda said no changes will take place during the engagement period and stressed that Meddygfa’r Sarn “will continue as normal”. The health board also thanked the community for the support shown to staff during what it described as “a period of change”.

The health board said patients, staff and stakeholders will be able to attend public drop‑in events during the engagement period, with dates to be announced shortly. Patients will also receive letters explaining how to take part, and a survey will be available online and in paper form from 9 February.

Meddygfa’r Sarn has been directly managed by Hywel Dda since 2017, after the former GP partners resigned their contract. The health board said the practice has faced “ongoing and significant staffing challenges” and currently has no permanently employed GPs. It also described the Pontyates building as “small” with “limited facilities”.

If the panel’s recommendation is ultimately approved, Hywel Dda said patients would be transferred to the nearest suitable practice, including Coalbrook Surgery in Pontyberem, Meddygfa Minafon in Kidwelly, and for some patients, practices in Llanelli.

The announcement follows months of public pressure, with councillors and residents previously warning that closing the Pontyates site would be a “massive blow” to the village and surrounding communities.

Hywel Dda said further information about the engagement process will be shared in the coming days.

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Councillors demand halt to Pontyates GP surgery closure plans as pressure mounts on Hywel Dda

The intervention comes just five days after Swansea Bay News first revealed the surgery’s future was in doubt on 22 January, sparking immediate concern among residents and community leaders.

In a letter sent yesterday to the Chair and Chief Executive of Hywel Dda, Pontyates councillors Alex Evans, Tyssul Evans and Meinir James set out a series of objections to the proposal, which is due to go out to public consultation on 9 February.

They say the health board appears to have a “preferred option” of closure before the consultation has even begun, and warn that the impact on patients has not been properly assessed.

The councillors argue that forcing thousands of patients to register elsewhere would pile pressure onto already overstretched practices in Pontyberem, Kidwelly and surrounding communities. For many residents — particularly older people, disabled patients, carers and those without cars — reaching alternative surgeries would require taking two buses.

They have asked the health board to confirm whether an Equality Impact Assessment and Health Impact Assessment have been completed and published, and say no consultation should begin until this work is done.

The letter also calls for a pause to the process and “meaningful engagement” with the community on alternatives to closure. A written response has been requested as a matter of urgency.

Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith said she “very much shares patients’ concerns” and has asked health board bosses to attend a public meeting with residents as part of the consultation.

The fight to save the surgery comes as Pontyates faces another major battle over local services. Earlier this month, villagers secured a temporary stay of closure for Pontyates Primary School, but parents warned the reprieve was only the start of a longer campaign.

Residents say losing both the school and the GP surgery would hollow out the village and leave families without essential services.

With the consultation on Meddygfa’r Sarn due to open in early February, campaigners say the next few weeks will be crucial for the future of healthcare in the Gwendraeth Valley.

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Community backlash grows as residents warn closure of Pontyates GP surgery would be “a massive blow”

The outcry follows Swansea Bay News’ report that Hywel Dda University Health Board is considering dispersing all 4,300 patients from Meddygfa’r Sarn to neighbouring practices from June 2026. Local councillors said they were “shocked” to learn of the proposal and had received no prior warning.

Councillors say they were blindsided by the announcement

Cllr Tyssul Evans and Cllr Meinir James, who both represent Llangyndeyrn Ward, and Cllr Alex Evans, who represents Glyn Ward, said they only discovered the proposal when the health board’s press release appeared on Facebook.

Cllr Tyssul Evans, Cllr Meinir James (Llangyndeyrn Ward) and Cllr Alex Evans (Glyn Ward) said:

“We were shocked to learn yesterday, via a press release shared on Facebook, of Hywel Dda University Health Board’s plans to consider closing Meddygfa’r Sarn GP surgery in Pontyates. We had no prior knowledge that the surgery was even at risk of closing and we fully appreciate the anxiety and concern this announcement will have caused for patients and residents.

“We understand the real concerns about how patients would be able to access GP care if the 4,300 patients registered in Pontyates were transferred to other surgeries in Pontyberem, Kidwelly and Llanelli. There is no direct bus route to Pontyberem for many patients registered at Meddygfa’r Sarn and there is no direct bus for anyone to Kidwelly. We also appreciate the potential knock‑on effect this could have on other local services in the village, including the chemist.

“We want to reassure everyone that we will do everything we can to save the surgery in Pontyates from closing. We will be launching a petition and outlining the further actions we propose to take in support of a campaign to save Meddygfa’r Sarn next week. We will be sure to keep you all fully updated as these details are finalised.”

Residents say closure would leave thousands cut off

Dozens of residents have now taken to social media to condemn the potential closure, describing the surgery as a lifeline for Pontyates and surrounding villages.

Many warned that neighbouring practices in Pontyberem, Kidwelly and Llanelli are already overstretched, with long waits for appointments and limited capacity.

Phillip Griffiths said the plan “makes no sense”, arguing that Pontyates Surgery is centrally located, has good parking and sits next to the village chemist. Others raised fears that the chemist itself could be at risk if the GP service disappears.

Kaye Hamer said many residents simply had no way of travelling to other surgeries. Jo Clarke warned the move would hit older patients hardest, saying it was “wrong” to expect people who have lived in the village all their lives to travel miles for care.

Lorraine Edwards said the proposal came “just when you think healthcare couldn’t get any worse”, while Andrew Williams said neighbouring practices already rely heavily on locum doctors, making continuity of care difficult.

Front view of Meddygfa’r Sarn in Pontyates, the GP surgery at the centre of proposals to disperse its patient list. Image: Google Maps.

Concerns over transport, capacity and impact on elderly patients

Residents repeatedly highlighted the lack of direct bus routes to Pontyberem and Kidwelly, with some journeys requiring multiple changes and taking hours.

Julie Harry said public transport was “absolutely non‑existent”, while Andrea Gower questioned how the health board expected patients to travel at all. She also disputed claims the site sits on a flood plain, saying she had “never seen the place flooded”.

Others warned the closure would be a “massive blow” to the village, particularly for elderly and vulnerable residents.

Lisa Evans‑James said her 93‑year‑old grandmother had relied on the surgery for decades and could not travel further afield. She said the practice offered continuity, familiarity and reassurance that could not be replaced by dispersing patients across multiple towns.

“This surgery isn’t just a building – it’s familiar faces, continuity of care, and reassurance,” she said. “To the health board we may just be numbers on a list, but behind every number is a person, a family, and a real need for accessible care.”

Petition launched as anger builds

A petition launched by local resident Clare Treharne has gathered more than 500 signatures in less than 24 hours. She warned that dispersing patients would mean longer travel distances, reduced continuity of care and increased pressure on already overstretched practices.

The petition calls on Hywel Dda to reject the proposal, consult properly with residents and commit to keeping GP services in Pontyates.

Health board urged to rethink

Many residents accused the health board of failing to understand the geography of the area or the realities of rural transport.

Helen Thomas said Pontyberem Surgery “can’t cope as it is”, while Ryan Hayhurst described the proposal as “outrageous”. Others warned the move would push more patients into already overstretched A&E departments.

Caroline Owens Green said the community “can’t sit back and let the health board push this through”, while Kerry Jane Hards said life would be “desperate” without the surgery.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has said no final decision has been made and that it will consider feedback before any recommendation is taken forward.

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Future of Pontyates GP surgery in doubt as health board considers dispersing all 4,300 patients

A report going before the Board on Thursday 29 January recommends that the surgery’s entire patient list should be broken up and transferred elsewhere from 30 June 2026, ending almost a decade of the health board running the practice.

If approved, thousands of people in Pontyates would be automatically moved to other surgeries based on where they live, with most expected to be sent to Coalbrook Surgery in Pontyberem, Meddygfa Minafon in Kidwelly, or practices in Llanelli.

A surgery too small, too cramped — and sitting in a flood zone

The Board paper paints a stark picture of the Pontyates building. It describes a surgery that is simply too small for the number of patients it serves, with every room already in use and no space to expand. Staff have no proper break room, often relying on borrowed space elsewhere in the village.

The building sits at the bottom of the valley, in an area officially classed as a Natural Resources Wales flood zone. The car park and surrounding land have flooded before, leaving the surgery cut off, with staff unable to get in or out.

A recent Health & Safety inspection found exposed pipework, inadequate electrical points, missing downpipes, and no emergency lighting outside. The lease on the building runs out in October 2026, adding further pressure to find a long‑term solution.

No permanent GPs and rising costs

The report confirms that Meddygfa’r Sarn has no permanent doctors at all. The practice is now entirely dependent on locums, with the health board struggling to attract salaried GPs despite repeated attempts.

Running the surgery costs more than £1 million a year, with almost half of that spent on locum GP sessions alone. The panel reviewing the practice’s future said this level of reliance on temporary doctors is not sustainable and does not provide the continuity of care patients deserve.

What it means for people in Pontyates

For local residents, the impact could be significant. The nearest alternative practice, Coalbrook Surgery in Pontyberem, is three miles away, and public transport is limited, with only eight buses a day between the two villages. Some patients may have to travel even further, to Kidwelly or Llanelli, depending on their postcode.

Older patients, those without cars, and families juggling work and childcare could face longer journeys for appointments and reduced access to care if the dispersal goes ahead.

Why the panel wants dispersal

A Vacant Practice Panel met in October 2025 to examine four options: keeping Sarn as a standalone practice, merging it with Meddygfa Minafon, finding a new provider, or dispersing the patient list.

The panel ruled out keeping the surgery open, saying the combination of premises issues, workforce shortages, and rising costs made it unviable. A merger with Minafon would create a huge 13,000‑patient practice spread across multiple sites, which the panel felt would bring its own problems. Procuring a new provider was considered too risky and unlikely to solve the building issues.

Dispersal emerged as the only option the panel believed could guarantee long‑term stability for patients. Coalbrook Surgery has already told the health board it is keen to grow its list, which strengthened the case for transferring patients there.

“We have a duty to ensure safe and sustainable care”

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda, said the Board would give the recommendation careful consideration.

He said Meddygfa’r Sarn had struggled to provide the continuity of care the health board wanted for patients, and that dispersal may be the best way to ensure people in the area receive reliable, high‑quality GP services.

Andrew Carruthers, said:

“As a health board we have a duty to ensure safe, sustainable and high-quality delivery of General Medical Services for our population. 

“Meddygfa’r Sarn is a small and rural practice and has struggled to provide the level of continuity of care and services we would like for our patients. The panel felt that dispersing the patient list is the best way forward to ensure that patients have access to the best possible care and the Board will give careful consideration to this recommendation.

“If the recommendation of the Vacant Practice Panel is approved, the health board is committed to engaging with patients, staff, local communities and stakeholders before any changes are implemented to understand how the change could impact them and consider any mitigations needed.”

If the Board approves the recommendation, the health board says it will carry out full engagement with patients, staff and the local community before any changes are made.

No final decision yet

The Board will discuss the proposal on 29 January, with a seven‑week public engagement period planned if the recommendation is approved.

For now, the future of Pontyates’ only GP surgery remains uncertain — and thousands of local patients face the possibility of being moved to new practices by the summer.

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