A consultation on the planned closure of a doctor's surgery near Machynlleth is now underway.

Dyfi Valley Health, the provider of GP Primary Care Services for around 7,000 people in north west Powys and surrounding areas, announced plans to close the doctor's surgery at Glantwymyn last month, with services planned to merge into the Forge Road practice in Machynlleth.

Now Powys Teaching Health Board(PTHB) is launching a consultation on the future of services in the area.

PTHB say a consultation document setting out the history, current situation and options for the future is being sent to patients registered with Dyfi Valley Health to seek their views, as well as other local organisations and "stakeholders".

A number of public meetings and drop in sessions are also planned.

"The views we receive will contribute to a report which will inform a recommendation on the way forward, which will be debated in public at a meeting of the Powys Teaching Health Board later this spring," said a spokesperson.

Councillor Elwyn Vaughan, Plaid Cymru member for Glantwymyn ward on Powys County Council, encouraged the public to participate in the consultation and said it was "imperative" that resident's concerns were taken into account.

"As local Cllr for the Glantwymyn ward, I am fully aware of the concerns of residents at the wish of the Bro Ddyfi Health to cease at the Glantwymyn surgery.   In this wide rural area the ever centralisation of services is of concern to all and it is therefore imperative that these real genuine concerns are taken into consideration by Powys Health in the consultation process," he said.

"I would encourage everyone in the area to participate in the consultation, respond to the questionnaire and attend the drop in sessions which will be held at Dinas Mawddwy, Llanbrynmair and Glantwymyn. I have also worked with Helen Mary Jones AM to press on the Health Minister to confirm the situation regarding the potential investment in a new surgery at Machynlleth so that we have a complete picture and understanding of the situation."

PTHB say further information on the consultation is now available at www.powysthb.wales.nhs.uk/dyfi-valley-health