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.

SHORE CENTRE INTRODUCES CRUCIAL GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE CLINIC

SHORE Centre’s only location in the Waterloo Region is on Westmount Road north, with some satellite locations in Guelph. In SPECTRUM’s 2021 Waterloo Region Non-LGBTQ2+ Perception Survey, a significant portion of participants showed an unwillingness to consider transgender and/or non-binary people as potential romantic partners. 

This expansion came as part of ongoing efforts to meet the growing demand for reproductive, sexual health and gender-affirming care and education in the Waterloo Region.  

“I think about us as support for folks that may be on the margins when it comes to health care and for those who don’t have a place in health care,” Jess Huston, clinic manager at SHORE Centre, said. 

The SHORE Centre’s gender-affirming care clinic opened on May 8, 2024. A soft launch for the event was available for a limited number of patients on Apr. 29, 2024. This comes after The Outlook Study prepared by the Rainbow Community Council in 2019, shows 23 per cent of trans people in the region reported their provider did not know enough about trans-related care to provide it.  

“It was a natural fit for us to have a gender affirming care clinic here, because it fits with our mandate, it fits with what we’ve always done, you know?” Huston said. 

At the gender-affirming care clinic, patients’ goals are prioritized. 

The clinic’s main physician is a transgender woman, which a welcome change to how many transgender and/or non-binary patients must deal with. 

About 76 per cent of patients had to educate at least four different health care providers. The top health care providers which needed to be educated were mental health providers, family doctors, clerical staff and psychiatrists.

“A lot of trans folks have trouble accessing those things, even more so than the cis population, because of the additional barriers of seeking affirming care,” Huston said.  

Only 44 per cent speak with their primary healthcare provider about health issues specific to their gender identity, which is why SHORE’s gender-affirming care clinic is crucial for transgender and/or non-binary people. Clients can either get a referral from their healthcare provider or self-refer. 

“Any clinician can do surgical referrals for a surgical abortion or gender affirming surgeries. But they don’t, they don’t feel comfortable doing it. They don’t feel like they have the information,” Lindsay Sweeney-Hawkins, the Executive Director of SHORE Centre said.  

As of their grand opening in 2024, SHORE Centre has seen 267 patients for intake. They are currently booking six months out, which Huston speaks to the incredible need in the community.  

“I think that for me, it is the really deep thread of all of the care we provide, it is providing care successfully, without judgment, and making people feel welcome while they are accessing,” Sweeney-Hawkins said.  

Fifteen per cent of transgender and/or non-binary patients reported that hospital staff belittled or ridiculed them for being trans. 

SHORE Centre’s gender-affirming care clinic acts as a line of defense for some of the most vulnerable people in the healthcare system today.  

#AdrianQuijano #Healthcare #JessHuston #JessiWood #LindsaySweeneyHawkins #localHealthcare #nonProfits #nonbinary #sexualHealth #SHORECentre #Spectrum #transHealthcare

Well someone had to say it!

WLR General Election Debate Article: https://www.wlrfm.com/news/general-election-cardiac-care-392829

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Live in a small #rural #village surrounded by (paddy) fields and wooded hills with mountains in the distance. Friendly #neighbours who help one another out in general and band together in a crisis.

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