A GWENDRAETH Valley GP practice has handed back its General Medical Services contract to the health board.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has today – Wednesday, October 4 – announced that the Cross Hands and Tumble Surgery will be resigning its GMS contract at the end of March 2024.

The decision was made by the surgery’s partners after being unable to recruit an additional GP or advanced practitioner to join the busy practice.

The health board is working with the surgery to ensure the continued provision of GP services in the area.

Jill Paterson, the health board’s director of primary care, community and long term care, said: “The health board would like to reassure the patients of Cross Hands and Tumble Surgery that the provision of these important services will continue for patients.

“We understand that patients may be worried at this time, but we will now work with the practice team, the Amman and Gwendraeth cluster and local stakeholders to develop plans for delivery of future services in the area.

“The health board appreciates the continuing support given by the community to the team at Cross Hands and Tumble Surgery throughout this challenging period.”

Care will continue as normal for registered patients at the surgery until the end of March 2024. The health board is advising patients to stay registered with the surgery whilst the longer-term plans are being developed and will be writing to patients to inform them of the situation.

Patients and stakeholders will be asked to share their views on how the services can continue to be delivered in the coming months. For more information, contact the health board on 0300 303 8322 (option 5) or email ask.hdd@wales.nhs.uk