EVERYTHING possible is being done tor try and recruit new GPs to help Dyfi Valley Health provide services for people living in the Glantwymyn/Cemmaes Road area.

Fears have been raised that Glantwymyn Health Centre could be shut, with patients having to go to Machynlleth for treatment.

A public meeting was held in the village on Wednesday night (June 6) to discuss the situation which sees the surgery two doctors down from a full complement, and is closed for a large part of the week. The surgery, which is part of Dyfi Valley Health is part of a practice that has another surgery in Machynlleth.

Powys County Councillor, Elwyn Vaughan, said: “There is a lot of concern here about what is happening and about 50 people turned up to the meeting.

“There is a fear that the surgery here will be closed by the back door with everyone expected to travel on down to Machynlleth to the surgery there.

“The surgery here is closed from Thursday to Monday and people are unable to pick up their medication or see someone during this time,

“Our community council here is calling on Powys Teaching Health Board to explain clearly what’s going on here.

“If there is a decision being made to centralise everything in Machynlleth, it’s better that they’re up front and tell us.”

Dr Jon Shaw of Dyfi Valley Health, stressed the practice was doing everything possible with the resources available.

Dr Shaw said: “We’re really sad that we’ve had to take the decision to close the surgery for part of the week.

“We’re down to three GPs and have struggled to keep both sites open, we’ve not been taking time off to keep patient services available.

“We’ve advertised everywhere possible and have contacted all the GPs on the list for North and Mid-Wales personally, but there is a GP recruitment crisis in Wales.

“Over 20 GP surgeries have folded in Wales, we’re not close to that stage but it shows the gravity of the problem.

“We weren’t invited to the meeting to explain the situation, but we’re available and offered to meet the Community Councils to update them.”

A spokesman for Powys Teaching health Board, said: “Dyfi Valley Health provides general medical services to Cemmaes Road, Machynlleth and surrounding areas.

“We understand that one of their GPs is currently on maternity leave and additionally there is an unfilled vacancy.

“Unfortunately Dyfi Valley Health has not been able to recruit temporary cover or to the permanent vacancy and has taken the difficult decision to reduce the number of sessions at their Cemmaes Road Practice.

“The practice team is working very hard to keep the services running and is continuing to seek to recruit to the temporary and permanent role.

“We apologise for the inconvenience, and we continue to work with the Practice on the wider development of services in the Dyfi Valley area.”

Applications by GPs to join the practice are welcomed via its website at http://dyfivalleyhealth.org