Glantwymyn's GP surgery will close this summer after a recommendation was accepted by Powys Teaching Health Board at a meeting today.

A statement from PTHB issued via social media said they "recognised the strong feelings within local communities and the impact this decision would have," but that the consultation process had not identified a way of sustaining safe services at both Cemmaes Road and Machynlleth surgeries.

Services offered at Glantwymyn will now be consolidated into the Machynlleth site, they say, with a mitigation plan covering factors such as transport, Welsh Language, carers and prescriptions set to be put in place before the premises closes in July 2019.

Powys Teaching Health Board Chief Executive Carol Shillabeer said:

"No decision of this nature is ever easy. As a Health Board we aspire to ensure a comprehensive primary care service is available locally to communities across Powys. However, we also need to ensure that primary care services are fit for the future and able to respond to the very significant challenges they face.

"Today’s Board Meeting provided an opportunity for a thorough review of the process that has taken place to consider and assess the application from Dyfi Valley Health to close their premises in Cemmaes Road and consolidate their services at their premises in Machynlleth. Board members were able to review and scrutinise key documents including a report on the consultation that took place from 11 February to 28 March and an equality impact assessment."

"The Board also discussed in detail the response from the Powys Community Health Council, which has helped us to further strengthen the steps we take to address the impact for patients.

"After careful consideration the Board agreed to accept the recommendation subject to the development of a detailed mitigation plan.

"During the consultation we heard from nearly 1000 people, which demonstrates the real strength of feeling about local health services. I would like to thank everyone who shared their hopes and anxieties, as well as their suggestions for the future," she added.

PTHB say they will work with write to all registered patients to discuss the next steps and confirm the timetable for the closure of the Cemmaes Road premises. The Health Board and the Practice also plan to continue to engage with the Powys Community Health Council, Machynlleth Patient Forum and other Community stakeholders to develop the mitigation plan.

Glantwymyn councillor Elwyn Vaughan said he was "disappointed but unsurprised" by the decision.

"Naturally as local member I'm disappointed with the decision but it is hardly surprising. We need now to see the investment in the Machynlleth hospital site happening as soon as a to provide a range of services for the community," he said.

PTHB Medical Director Mr Wyn Parry added: "Primary care services are facing a number of significant challenges, particularly in the recruitment and retention of GPs. These challenges are keenly felt in rural areas such as mid Wales.

"During the panel review we found that the consultation process had not identified new feasible options for sustaining consistently safe services at both sites. We also heard rich feedback from communities about how changes would impact on them."

PTHB say a presentation will be made to the next meeting of the Board on 29 May 2019 to set out the progress and next steps.