Campaign to save surgery (From Free Press Series)

Campaign to save surgery

Torfaen councillors are warning against the possible loss of a "vital" GP surgery in their community.

And a patient at the Mill Road surgery is leading the campaign to stop nearly 3000 people from losing their local GP surgery.

Councillors Ivor Davies, Joyce Gregory and John Lewis joined 79-year-ol Tom Gould and speak out, when it was revealed Pontnewynydd GP Dr Shirish Patel will retire from the end of May.

Dr Patel single-handedly runs the Mill Road practice, the only surgery serving the community.

Mr Gould drafted a petition that has been signed by 1,200 residents and handed it to Torfaen local health board.

It is understood that around 2,800 patients currently use the surgery, from Trevethin, Pentwyn and Pontnewynydd.

Mr Gould said: "I told the Health Board I thought patients were supposed to be the priority of the health service."

Councillor Gregory fears local people will ultimately lose out if the board fails to attract a replacement: "This is virtually the only facility we have left in Pontnewynydd.

"It is vital for the people of Pontnewynydd. We have a significant number of older people who don't have cars and they cannot be expected to travel to see a doctor."

Councillor Davies said: "We know the local health board is trying to ensure we get cover, we need it, because services are becoming more spread out. The LHB has got to pull its finger out and get someone in here."

GP recruitment, particularly in Valleys areas, is a major worry for LHBs, which have had to take over the running of several surgeries because they have been unable to find replacements.

Responsibility for finding another GP falls to Torfaen LHB, which will advertise the practice as a going concern, but if it fails to attract another GP the alternative will be to distribute patients between Abersychan and Pontypool practices.

Gwent Community Health Council, the patients' watchdog, is involved in talks with the LHB. A spokesman said: "We believe it is vital a way is found for patients of this practice to continue to receive local accessibility to GP services,"

Doctor Marysia Hamilton-Kirkwood, the health board's medical director said she couldn't comment on options discussed for the surgery's future, so far.