PATIENTS registered at a Gwendraeth Valley GP surgery will be able to give their views at an event this coming week about the potential closure of the surgery.

On October 4, the partners at Cross Hands and Tumble Surgery announced that they would be handing back their General Medical Services contract at the end of March 2024, leaving 7,500 registered patients uncertain about their future care.

This came after the partners were struggling to recruit staff to be able to continue the surgery.

Hywel Dda University Health Board held a drop-in event for the public on November 8 at Tumble Hall to allow residents to share their views and now a second drop-in event will be taking place this coming week in Cross Hands.

Jill Paterson, the health board’s director of primary care, community and long-term care, said: “The partners have tried unsuccessfully to recruit an additional GP or advanced practitioner to join their busy practice, but have been unable to do so.

“Unfortunately, they have decided that the resignation of their GMS contract is their only remaining option.

“Since that decision was announced, my team have been working with the practice, members of the Amman and Gwendraeth GP cluster, Llais and other key stakeholders, to identify options for the future of GP services for the 7,500 registered patients.”

A panel that has representation from Llais and the Local Medical Committee has at present identified two viable options to continue the delivery of general medical services to the community and Ms Paterson said they are ‘focused on developing these options.’

The two options include retendering the contract to another provider or redistributing the patient list amongst neighbouring GP practices.

Ms Paterson continued: “Before any final decision can be made, the health board needs to listen to the views and concerns of patients. This process began on 30 October and will close on 26 November 2023, and we are keen to hear from as many patients as possible.”

The second drop-in event is one of the ways that patients can have their say. It is being held at Cross Hands Working Men’s Club, 41 Llandeilo Road, Cross Hands (near Lidl), SA14 6RD on Tuesday, November 21 between 3pm and 6pm. Representatives from Llais, members of the Hywel Dda primary care team and members of the Amman and Gwendraeth cluster will be in attendance.

Patients can also have their say by:

  • Completing a questionnaire which can be picked up at the surgery and also dropped off following completion at the surgery, or posted to Freepost Hywel Dda Health Board.
  • Calling 0300 3038322 and choosing option 5 for ‘other services.’
  • Emailing ask.hdd@wales.nhs.uk
  • Responding to the online questionnaire at www.haveyoursay.hduhb.wales.nhs.uk
  • Directly to Llais at Suite 5, 1st Floor, Ty Myrddin, Old Station Road, Carmarthen SA31 1LP, calling  01545 697610 or emailing westwalesenquiries@llaiscymru.org.