Fight to save GP services (From Free Press Series)

Fight to save GP services

TREVETHIN'S revamped health centre is at the centre of controversy once again as GPs threaten to withdraw their services.

Doctors are planning to meet with Local Health Board Chief Executive John Skinner either this week or at the beginning of next week and any substantial changes are likely to be decided on after consultation with the community.

Mr Skinner said: "The Local Health Board will decide what the consequences of GPs proposals would be and following our current needs assessment survey in Trevethin, we would consider the real health needs of that community and what options are available to us."

GPs based in Abersychan run several sessions a week at the centre in one of Torfaen's most deprived areas and have notified the Local Health Board of their plans to withdraw.

The Local Health Board is looking at possible improvement opportunities that may arise for Trevethin Health Centre.

Mr Skinner said: "Based on the needs assessment in the community, the results may show that the Local Health Board is better off laying on transport to Abersychan than keeping GPs there, but nothing has yet been decided."

It was just three years ago that the community battled to save the surgery and it could now be facing the same fight to keep the centre which serves Trevethin, Penygarn and St Cadoc's.

The centre recently underwent a £160,000 upgrade backed by the Local Health Board.

But now the board says the number of patients using Trevethin is low compared to Abersychan's figures.

Mr Skinner said: "General practices are small businesses and these doctors are considering a number of options about what is the best use of their time."

Torfaen Assembly Minister Lynne Neagle has backed the community and "is deeply concerned" at the doctors' plans.

She said: "I have written to the Abersychan GPs to ask them to reconsider. I will do everything I can to ensure that GP services in Trevethin are maintained.

"If the Abersychan GPs decide not to reconsider I will be pressing the Local Health Board to put in place alternative GP services as soon as possible. It is vital that people are able to see a GP and I will do my utmost to ensure that this continues."