COUNCILLORS in the Dyfi Valley have urged health bosses to keep the threatened doctors’ surgery at Glantwymyn open in a bid to protect health services.

Earlier this year, Dyfi Valley Health announced its intention to apply to Powys Teaching Health Board to close the surgery and transfer patients seven miles away to Machynlleth, saying staffing pressures had made the Glantwymyn site ‘unsustainable’.

Now Cllr Elwyn Vaughan, Cllr Diane Jones-Poston and Cllr Michael Williams say they are presenting a ‘united plea’ to Powys Teaching Health Board to try to ensure a positive way forward for the health services in Machynlleth and its surroundings.

“We are all fully aware of the deep concern that exists in the area as to the future of the surgery at Glantwymyn and the overall medical services,” read a joint statement

“We appreciate the pressure on the medical staff and understand that this area is not unique in those pressures.

“However, as a result of the consultation meetings that have been held, a number of aspects have come to light which should be borne in mind.

“It has become clear that a shorter lease than 10 years is on offer for Glantwymyn surgery.

“It has also become clear that the much-anticipated investment and new medical centre at Machynlleth has been delayed, through no fault of anyone, and extra work is needed to finalise the package.”

The councillors propose keeping the surgery open while work on developing the new site at Machynlleth is undertaken, and that PTHB take “practical steps in assisting the surgery with staffing issues,” by securing locum staff and ensuring the appropriate managerial resources.

They also suggest lightning the workload at the surgery by securing another practice to undertake the work they currently do at Newtown Hospital.

“We appreciate these are challenging times for all involved.” whilst there are no quick fixes we believe that a package of practical support for the surgery would be of benefit to all concerned, after all the surgery assisted Powys Health in taking over the surgery at Machynlleth and therefore deserves to be supported.”

Adrian Osborne from Powys Teaching Health Board encouraged patients to take part in the ongoing consultation over the future of services at Glantwymyn, and said the health board would consider carefully the views, opinions, ideas and information they receive so that they can make a decision on the best way forward for sustaining local primary care services.

“Consultation is currently under way on the future of GP primary care services in the Dyfi Valley, closing on Thursday 28 March 2019. We would encourage everyone to share their views, discuss options for the future and put forward ideas," he said.

"As well as consulting with local patients and residents, we are also consulting with the Powys Community Health Council which is the statutory independent body to represent the interests of the patients and the public in the NHS in Powys.”