GP cuts to hurt OAPs the most (From Free Press Series)

GP cuts to hurt OAPs the most

1:54pm Thursday 29th June 2006 in Pontypool news

OLDER people will be the "first to suffer" if health chiefs press ahead with cuts to GP out-of-hours services in Gwent, says a senior councillor.

Torfaen Council's deputy leader and older persons' champion Councillor Lewis Jones is calling on the borough's Local Health Board to make sure people are aware of controversial plans to axe an out-of-hours service in Pontypool.

"I understand there is an issue over funding, but Local Health boards were introduced to support the area they serve," he said. "It seems like the service is being eroded gradually."

As reported previously, thousands of patients living in Gwent face longer journeys to see a GP out of hours under changes suggested by the region's five Local Health Boards.

These would see centres in Abertillery, Pontypool and Chepstow axed with patients having to travel to either Ystrad Mynach, Newport or Abergavenny instead.

The service in Pontypool currently operates from the County Hospital in Griffithstown.

Councillor Lewis added: "It will be the older people who will suffer from this proposals because they will have to travel further and might have to rely on a taxi which is a lot of outlay if you are on a low income."

But Dr Marysia Hamilton-Kirwood, Torfaen LHB's medical director said that the transport would be available for those who needed it "at a time to suit them".

She added: "The proposals will mean access to the service is based on clinical need rather than on geography.

"At the moment the service provision is diluted across the six centres."

* There is a further public meeting at the County Hospital in Griffithstown on July 5 at 6.30pm.