Plaid Cymru Senedd Members for Sir Gaerfyrddin Cefin Campbell, Nerys Evans and Adam Price, along with local councillors Alex Evans, Tyssul Evans and Meinir James, have asked Hywel Dda University Health Board for the details of a proposed merger between two GP services in the Gwendraeth Valley ahead of a consultation period on the final decision.
The future of Meddygfa’r Sarn in Pontyates has been uncertain for several years. Following confirmation that no bid was received to run the surgery as part of Hywel Dda’s tendering process, the health board have indicated that they will consult on a merger with Minafon Surgery in Kidwelly.
This option had been amongst those called for by campaigners as well as local Plaid Cymru politicians who have stated that they are “cautiously optimistic” about the announcement.
Among the questions raised in the letter seeking certainty were whether the full details of the proposed merger would be published before the start of the engagement process, whether there would there be sufficient opportunities for in-person engagement for residents and patients within the community and the reason for a merger being the preferred option.
The health board was also asked for assurances over adequate staffing, a full range of services being maintained and the timetable for implementation of the merger.
Writing in the joint letter, the Plaid Cymru MSs and councillors said:
“Having a GP surgery in Pontyates is incredibly important for local residents, particularly older and more vulnerable patients who may struggle to travel elsewhere. We are therefore cautiously optimistic about the Health Board’s announcement.
“However, for local people, the question is not simply whether the surgery remains open, but what level of service they can expect to access in the future. Keeping the surgery open must also mean providing accessible, reliable GP services that patients can depend upon.
“Local people have faced considerable uncertainty regarding the future of their GP surgery over recent months. In our view, the success of this process will depend not only on the proposal itself, but on the willingness of the Health Board to engage openly with the community and provide clear answers to legitimate concerns about access, staffing, services and the long-term future of primary care provision in the Gwendraeth Valley.
“We would welcome a detailed response to these questions and would be grateful if the information could be made publicly available ahead of the engagement process wherever possible.”
