Campaigners lodge formal complaint over Pontyates GP surgery closure plans

The move comes as the health board’s eight-week public engagement exercise draws to a close, with the Save Our Surgery group claiming the consultation has been flawed and lacking transparency.

In a letter sent to Hywel Dda’s Chief Executive Philip Kloer, campaigners outlined what they describe as “numerous concerns” about the integrity of the decision-making process. The complaint has also been shared with Welsh Government Health Secretary Jeremy Miles, patient advocacy body Llais, and local elected representatives.

Clare Treharne, who leads the campaign group, said residents had engaged with the consultation despite ongoing concerns.

“Since it was belatedly announced, we have encouraged the community to actively engage in the consultation exercise, but grave concerns remain about the way the Health Board has conducted this process and we felt it was our duty to record those formally.”

Strong turnout at public meetings

The complaint follows two public drop-in sessions held as part of the consultation.

A meeting at Pontyates Welfare Hall saw large crowds attend, with some residents forced to queue outside to voice their concerns. A second session in Pontyberem also drew steady attendance, including patients from Coalbrook Surgery, which could see a significant increase in patients if the closure goes ahead.

Residents raised concerns over whether neighbouring surgeries would be able to cope with an influx of patients, with fears over long waiting times and limited public transport options for those without access to a car.

Jane Nicholas, who attended both sessions, said she remained unconvinced by the health board’s justification for closing the surgery.

“They pointed to the lack of salaried GPs at Meddygfa’r Sarn, but when challenged, they admitted that only one permanent doctor is employed at Minafon surgery in Kidwelly for twice the number of patients.

“They were also unable to reassure us about capacity at Coalbrook… that will not be sufficient to serve 3,000 extra patients transferring all at once.”

Concerns over report accuracy

Other residents have challenged claims made about the condition of the surgery building.

Angharad Rees, who works in Pontyates, questioned suggestions that the site is at risk of flooding.

“The surgery was purposely built on a raised platform to mitigate any risk,” she said, adding that landlords had not been informed of alleged defects mentioned in the report.

She also disputed suggestions that the building’s lease posed an issue, claiming the current owners are willing to renew it on existing terms.

Extra consultation session added

Amid growing concern, an additional drop-in session has now been scheduled at Carway Village Hall on March 31, running from 1pm to 6.30pm.

Campaigners and local councillors are urging residents to attend and complete the official survey before it closes on April 6.

However, the group has criticised the health board’s promotion of the consultation events, claiming they were advertised online only, leaving community volunteers to distribute printed materials locally.

Long-running campaign

The latest developments are the newest chapter in an ongoing row over the future of Meddygfa’r Sarn, which serves around 4,300 patients.

Swansea Bay News has previously reported on widespread community opposition, including protests, a human chain around the surgery, and warnings from councillors that confidence in the process has “collapsed”.

Campaigners say the fight will continue as they push for the surgery to remain open.

Related coverage: Pontyates GP surgery row

Future of Pontyates GP surgery in doubt
Plans to disperse 4,300 patients spark concern across the community.

Community backlash grows over closure fears
Residents warn losing the surgery would be a “massive blow”.

Hundreds protest to save Pontyates surgery
Large crowds gather as pressure mounts on decision-makers.

Councillors lose confidence in process
Local leaders raise serious concerns about how decisions are being made.

Eight-week consultation launched
Residents invited to have their say on the surgery’s future.

Former carer with terminal cancer urges families to talk about end of life

Diane Thomas cared for her late mum, Doreen, who had vascular dementia, after moving her from Yorkshire into her home in 2021. Just six weeks later she discovered the lump. Her mum died earlier this year, and Diane has since been told she has stage 4 cancer.

With support from Marie Curie’s 2Ts Advance and Future Care Planning service, Diane has prepared an advance care plan, power of attorney and do not resuscitate form.

Planning ahead with Marie Curie

The service, funded by the Tywi Taf Primary Care Cluster of Hywel Dda University Health Board, involves a senior nurse working with GP surgeries and care homes in the area. It helps people draft advance care plans, allowing them to think about, prepare and plan for their future care and end of life.

Marie Curie says many people in Wales are underprepared for the final chapter of life. A recent survey found almost a third (28%) have not given it any thought, while nearly 4 in 10 (38%) do not put plans down on paper. More than a third (33.7%) fear talking about end of life planning, while one in three (33.6%) believe they have plenty of time to arrange plans.

Diane’s story

Diane said:

“It’s important to me to have all this in place, so my children know and understand what I want. It was hard watching my mum, because she lived here with me, and I’ve also seen it with other members of my late husband’s family. I’ve seen them going on and getting less able to do things, and I don’t want to be like that.”

In August, Diane saw a doctor at Priory Grove, Carmarthen, where her daughter works, and received confirmation of her prognosis. She was then put in touch with Diane Milner, Marie Curie Senior Nurse at the 2Ts Advance and Future Care Planning service.

Professional voices

Diane Milner, who was a district nurse for 32 years, said:

“Advance care planning (ACP) is for everyone, at any stage of life, and helps people to think about, prepare and plan for their future care and end of life. It helps people to discuss and decide what is important to them, as well as sharing wishes with others. It means loved ones know what you want if you ever can’t speak for yourself.”

Dr Kerry Phillips, Tywi Taf Cluster Lead and GP Partner at Meddygfa Taf, added:

“This service is an important opportunity for anyone to record their future care wishes so that if the need arises, your expressed wishes are followed.”

Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care, Community and Long‑Term Care at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said:

“Advance and Future Care Planning is a vital part of ensuring people’s wishes are understood and respected. The work Marie Curie is doing with the Tywi Taf Cluster is helping individuals and families have these important conversations, often at very difficult times.”

Support available

Marie Curie supports people with any illness they are likely to die from, including dementia, heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, and advanced cancer. The charity provides expert care and support in people’s homes, in its hospices and over the phone via its free Information & Support helpline.

In Wales, the My Life, My Wishes document exists across all health board areas to support people with planning for their care at end of life. Marie Curie also offers an End of Life list on its website, a practical checklist curated by clinicians to help people prepare across five categories: legal and money matters; people, pets and things important to me; advance care plan; funeral or celebration of life; and making and leaving behind memories.

For more information about Advance Care Planning, contact: [email protected]

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Llanelli’s Minor Injury Unit consultation ends: Decision looms over future services

The long-running public consultation over the future of the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli has officially wrapped. For twelve weeks, the people of Llanelli weighed in on four potential service models — and whether the MIU should continue operating on limited hours or make a return to full-time care.

Launched on 28 April 2025, the consultation drew 729 formal responses and sparked hundreds of conversations through drop-in events, online sessions, and direct meetings with staff and patients. Community groups such as SOSPPAN and Llais helped drive participation, pushing back against fears of a permanent overnight closure.

The MIU has been open daily from 8am to 8pm since November 2024, treating minor injuries like cuts, grazes, sprains, and fractures. But the late-night shutdown has rattled residents — particularly those without easy transport to emergency departments in Swansea or Carmarthen.

“We’ve heard passionate arguments from all sides,” said Mark Henwood, Executive Medical Director. “Now begins a period of conscientious consideration before we present our report in September.”

Health Board options for Llanelli’s Minor Injury Unit

Option 1: 12-hour doctor-led service
Maintain current MIU hours from 8am to 8pm, with no changes to staffing model.

Option 2: Extend to 14-hour service
Expand daily operations to 14 hours if clinical cover allows, improving evening access.

Option 3: Phased return to 24-hour care
Gradual increase from 12 to 14 to 24 hours, depending on workforce recruitment and retention.

Option 4: Urgent Care Centre model
Redesign the MIU into a 14-hour Urgent Care Centre, combining minor injuries with same-day emergency care and diagnostics.

Community-led proposal:
Campaigners have called for a fifth option — full reinstatement of permanent 24-hour Minor Injury Unit services.

Ongoing public concern

Swansea Bay News has chronicled Llanelli’s fight to protect its services, with residents warning that a downgraded MIU risks life-threatening delays. More than 15,000 people signed a petition to the Senedd urging reinstatement of 24-hour access, while elected officials have described the overnight closure as a betrayal of previous health promises.

Councillor Deryk Cundy, chair of SOSPPAN, told Swansea Bay News:

“Over 6,000 people use the unit overnight every year. That’s thousands of moments where swift care made a difference.”

The unit’s staffing pressures sparked widespread scrutiny last year when the Health Board voted to reduce operating hours, with some residents now calling for full restoration — not just partial compromises.

Acute care remains in place

The consultation does not affect the hospital’s Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU), which continues to provide round-the-clock emergency care for seriously ill adults.

One recent patient praised the AMAU’s swift intervention during a breathing emergency: “Staff didn’t hesitate. I walked in, and minutes later I was hooked up and stabilised.”

What comes next?

The Health Board says all community feedback — including alternative suggestions — will be analysed before a final recommendation goes to its public September Board meeting. Until then, walk-in care at the MIU continues between 8am and 8pm, with NHS 111 and 999 services available for overnight needs.

Related articles

Final days to have your say on future of Llanelli’s Minor Injury Unit
A last-minute reminder urging residents to submit feedback before the public consultation closed.

Board agrees temporary overnight closure of Minor Injury Unit in Llanelli
Background on the Health Board’s original decision to reduce MIU hours in November 2024.

Prince Philip Hospital campaigners take petition to Senedd
Coverage of SOSPPAN’s campaign to restore full MIU services, supported by thousands of signatures.

Councillor warns against further service losses in Llanelli
Cllr Deryk Cundy voices fears over long-term erosion of healthcare provision in the town.

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