A PONTYATES GP surgery threatened with closure has been given a possible lifeline after Hywel Dda University Health Board agreed to explore whether a new provider could take it on.
Meddygfa’r Sarn had faced the prospect of closure, with patients potentially being transferred to neighbouring practices.
But following months of public concern, an eight-week engagement exercise, and pressure from patients, campaigners and local representatives, the board has now agreed to look at whether a new or existing General Medical Services provider could run the surgery.
At its meeting today (Thursday 28 May), board members considered feedback gathered during the engagement period and acknowledged the strength of feeling locally.
They were told how important local access to GP services is for the community served by Meddygfa’r Sarn, particularly for elderly patients, families and those with limited transport options.
The board also heard that new information had emerged during the consultation period, including informal expressions of interest from potential providers.
Meddygfa’r Sarn will now continue to operate as a managed practice while the health board explores whether there is sustainable interest in taking it on through a GMS contract.
Registered patients should continue to access GP services as they do now.
The decision marks a significant development in a long-running row over the future of the surgery.
In January, the health board agreed to delay any final decision after a recommendation was made to close the Pontyates surgery and disperse patients to other practices.
An eight-week engagement period then ran from February 9 to April 6.
A Senedd petition calling for GP services to be protected at Meddygfa’r Sarn attracted 985 signatures, while Carmarthenshire councillors and local campaigners also raised concerns about the impact closure would have on the village and surrounding communities.
The Herald previously reported that Freedom of Information material showed the practice had no salaried GPs and was entirely dependent on locum doctors.
While the health board said that model was unsustainable in the long term, the same disclosure showed other managed practices in the region also relied heavily on locum staff.
Cost data also suggested Meddygfa’r Sarn was not the most expensive practice per patient within the health board’s area.
During the engagement period, a small number of informal expressions of interest were received from potential providers interested in running the practice.
The health board said those early conversations were encouraging, but stressed that any formal arrangement would require a robust procurement process and careful consideration of financial and operational viability.
It will now assess whether there is enough commercial interest to justify progressing an open and transparent procurement process in line with national Provider Selection Regime regulations.
Andrew Carruthers, Director of Operations at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We have listened carefully to what people have told us. We heard clearly how much Meddygfa’r Sarn means to the local community.
“That has emphasised how important it is that we take the time to fully explore the viability of the informal interest that has come forward around the future running of the practice.
“This allows us to respond directly to that feedback and consider whether there is a sustainable solution that could enable services to continue from the practice.
“We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views with us and help shape our thinking.”
Work will now continue to assess the level of commercial interest and determine whether a viable long-term solution can be found through a formal commissioning process.
The health board said patients, staff and stakeholders will be kept informed as the work progresses.
