Hundreds protest to save Pontyates GP surgery as council demands action

Over 100 supporters formed a human chain around the surgery on Tuesday, 24th February, in a ‘Cwtsho’r Sarn’ solidarity event designed to show the strength of feeling in the community against the closure plans. The protest came as Hywel Dda University Health Board held a drop-in engagement session in the nearby Memorial Hall, which saw hundreds of worried residents attend to voice their concerns.

Hywel Dda is currently holding an eight-week consultation on the future of the surgery, with its preferred option being to disperse the practice’s 3,000 patients to other surgeries in the area.

Hundreds of worried residents packed the nearby Memorial Hall for a drop-in engagement session organised by Hywel Dda health board, with queues forming outside at times. Image: Papur y Cwm

Organisers of the human chain, which had been planned as a highly visual show of solidarity, said they were delighted with the strong turnout. They were joined by local councillors and received backing from Senedd members including Adam Price and Cefin Campbell.

Llanelli MS Lee Waters, who has previously raised the alarm over the surgery’s future, pledged to continue advocating on behalf of patients. He said: “Local GP services matter. They’re about access, continuity of care, and supporting the health of the whole community.”

Residents form a human chain outside Meddygfa’r Sarn in Pontyates, holding banners including “Keep Care Close to Home – Pontiets Needs Its Surgery” as part of the Cwtsho’r Sarn solidarity event on Tuesday 24th February. Image: Papur y Cwm

At the engagement event, residents raised concerns about the capacity of the neighbouring Coalbrook surgery in Pontyberem to absorb the extra patients, citing access issues, limited parking, and long waiting times.

Long-term patient Ffani Cattran, 77, felt that concerns about transport for those without cars were not adequately addressed. “They haven’t taken on board the transport issues and are assuming that people will be able to get lifts, which is neither fair nor reasonable,” she said. “This is a deprived area with historic health inequalities from its industrial past.”

Staff from Meddygfa’r Sarn surgery in Pontyates show their support for the campaign to keep the practice open. Image: Papur y Cwm

The protests follow a decision by Carmarthenshire County Council on 25th February to demand action from the Health Board. The council passed a motion to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, asking for alternatives to closure to be properly considered. The council will also write to Hywel Dda’s Chair and Chief Executive to request that a Health Impact Assessment and an Equality Impact Assessment are published and considered before any final decision is made.

The campaign’s petition to save the surgery, which has gathered approximately 3,000 signatures, is set to be considered by the Senedd’s Petitions Committee on 2nd March.

#Carmarthenshire #CwtshoRSarn #GPSurgery #GPSurgeryClosure #HywelDda #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #NHS #Pontiets #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery #protest

MS raises alarm over Pontyates GP closure as fears grow surgery is being “wound down”

Mr Waters said he has been contacted by a large number of residents who fear the village could lose its only GP surgery without a genuine attempt to save it. He has now written to the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board demanding answers on recruitment, consultation and the future of primary care in the area.

In his letter, the MS said local people were “deeply concerned” that closure was being presented as inevitable rather than a last resort. He said patients had raised “serious and credible questions” about whether alternatives had been explored at all.

He also questioned the Health Board’s handling of staffing issues. Constituents, he said, had reported “no recent visible attempt” to recruit new GPs or partners, despite workforce shortages being cited as a key reason for shutting the surgery. Some patients claim expressions of interest from GPs were not followed up, and that roles such as practice manager were not properly advertised.

Mr Waters said these concerns “require clear and evidenced answers”.

The MS also challenged the rationale around the building itself. He said residents disputed claims about flooding risk and suitability, and questioned why alternative premises in the community had not been seriously considered.

In his Facebook post, Mr Waters said access to GP services “matters hugely in rural communities”, especially where public transport is limited and neighbouring practices are already under pressure.

He said patients and staff “deserve clear answers” and insisted that local voices must be properly heard before any final decision is made.

The letter calls on the Health Board to set out exactly what steps have been taken to retain GP provision in Pontyates, what alternatives to closure have been assessed, and how patient feedback will influence the outcome.

Letter from Llanelli MS Lee Waters raising concerns with Hywel Dda University Health Board about the proposed closure of Meddygfa’r Sarn in Pontyates.

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Residents step up fight to save Pontyates GP surgery as confidence in health board process collapses

The proposal emerged last month when the health board confirmed it was looking at dispersing the surgery’s 4,300 patients to practices in Kidwelly, Trimsaran and Pontyberem. The news spread quickly on social media, prompting a wave of concern across the Gwendraeth Valley.

Community forms working group as fears grow for vulnerable patients

A local working group has now been set up to coordinate the response. Resident Clare Treharne, who is leading the effort, said the proposal had “galvanised the whole community”, describing the surgery as a lifeline for people who rely on local access to healthcare. She said campaigners were going door‑to‑door and directing residents to a new website set up to share information.

Another resident, Jon‑Paul Hunter, who built the site, said people without cars could face taking two buses to reach alternative surgeries if Meddygfa’r Sarn closes. He warned that the plan risked leaving vulnerable patients cut off from routine care.

Campaigners also point to Hywel Dda’s own modelling, which suggests Coalbrook Surgery in Pontyberem could see its patient list rise by around 60% under the proposal. They say that level of pressure would affect both existing patients and those transferred from Pontyates.

The village pharmacy, Harlow & Knowles, is supporting the campaign and is distributing copies of the petition and a patient survey.

Councillors say they have ‘lost all confidence’ in the process

Tensions escalated earlier this week when local councillors issued a statement saying they had “lost all confidence” in Hywel Dda’s engagement process. The criticism followed an online briefing on 12 February, during which councillors said the health board showed little willingness to consider alternatives.

Their concerns echo issues raised in recent weeks across the Gwendraeth, where residents have repeatedly questioned whether the engagement exercise is meaningful. The health board has launched an eight‑week engagement period, which runs until April, before the board considers the issue in May.

Health board says no decision has been made

Hywel Dda says no final decision has been taken on the future of Meddygfa’r Sarn. Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said the board recognised the strength of feeling locally and understood concerns about trust in the process.

He said the engagement period was designed to gather feedback before any decision is made, adding that the recommendation to disperse patients came from the Vacant Practice Panel because of “ongoing challenges in sustaining the practice”, including difficulties securing long‑term clinical cover.

Carruthers said the health board welcomed the involvement of local councillors and was committed to listening to residents over the coming weeks. He said all feedback would be “fully and fairly considered” before the board meets in May.

Campaigners vow to keep fighting

Campaigners say they will continue to oppose the closure and want the health board to work with the community “in good faith” rather than, in their view, presenting the proposal as a foregone conclusion. They say the next few weeks will be crucial as the engagement period continues.

#campaignGroup #GPSurgeryClosure #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery

Councillors say they’ve “lost all confidence” in Health Board’s process over Pontyates surgery closure

The three councillors — Tyssul Evans, Meinir James and Alex Evans — issued a joint statement after an online engagement session held by Hywel Dda earlier this week. They say the meeting raised “deeply troubling” concerns about how the Health Board is handling the eight‑week engagement exercise, which began on 9 February.

According to the councillors, Health Board officials confirmed that the engagement will not consider alternatives to closure and will instead focus solely on the impact that shutting the surgery would have on local communities. They say this makes the process fundamentally flawed.

The councillors also say Hywel Dda admitted it has not attempted to recruit a salaried GP for over a year, and would not commit to making a further attempt before the Board meets in May to decide the surgery’s future.

They claim a senior officer told them that Health Board policies do not require community engagement at all, and that a decision to close the surgery could have been taken at the January Board meeting without any public involvement.

Concerns were also raised about the number and timing of in‑person drop‑in sessions, with councillors saying several affected villages have been excluded and that no evening sessions have been arranged. They say some residents may receive notification only a week before the first session takes place.

In their joint statement, the councillors said the meeting had left them with “no alternative” but to go public.

“Following the answers given and the attitudes displayed by Hywel Dda representatives during the online engagement session held on Monday evening for local councillors, we have lost all confidence in this engagement exercise,” they said.

“Learning that alternatives to closure will not be considered as part of the engagement was, in our view, the final straw. Given that the Health Board has already had to publicly apologise to our communities for how this proposal was first announced, we expected a far greater level of care to be taken to ensure that this process was fair, open and credible.”

They added that while they continue to urge residents to take part in the engagement, they now believe a separate, full public consultation with independent oversight will be required if the future of the surgery is to be decided “fairly and transparently”.

The councillors’ intervention marks a significant escalation in the row over the future of Meddygfa’r Sarn, which serves around 4,300 patients. Swansea Bay News has previously reported on the community backlash, calls for a halt to closure plans, and warnings that dispersing patients across neighbouring practices could leave residents facing long journeys and reduced access to care.

Responding to the councillors comments, Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said:

“We recognise the vital role that GPs play in supporting the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, and we understand the strength of feeling locally about Meddygfa’r Sarn.

“We also recognise that some people have raised concerns about trust in the engagement and decision making process. I want to reassure residents, patients and elected representatives that no decision has been reached about the future of the practice.

“At our January meeting, the Board agreed to an eight‑week period of engagement to help us better understand the potential impacts of the Vacant Practice Panel’s recommendation and to hear directly from the communities affected. This approach is in line with Welsh Government guidance on consultation and engagement.

“The recommendation was made by the Vacant Practice Panel because of ongoing challenges in sustaining the practice, including difficulties in securing long‑term clinical cover, and the need to ensure safe, consistent and high‑quality care for patients.”

Mr Carruthers added:

“We welcomed the opportunity to meet with local councillors earlier this week and we value their involvement and challenge as part of this process.

“We know that confidence in engagement is built through listening and openness, and over the coming weeks we are committed to hearing carefully what people tell us, including concerns, experiences and what the potential benefits and impacts could be should Meddygfa’r Sarn’s patients be dispersed to other practices locally.

“We will ensure that the feedback received is fully and fairly considered by the Board at its meeting in May. The purpose of this engagement is to inform our understanding before any decision is taken, and we encourage residents and stakeholders to take part so their voices shape the discussion.”

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#CllrAlexEvans #CllrMeinirJames #CllrTyssulEvans #GPSurgeryClosure #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery

Health board launches eight‑week consultation as future of Pontyates GP surgery hangs in the balance

The move comes after months of community anger, political pressure and repeated warnings from residents that losing Meddygfa’r Sarn would be a “massive blow” to the village. The health board had been expected to make a final decision last month, but delayed the vote following a fierce backlash and calls from councillors to halt the closure plans.

Now, officials say they want to “listen carefully” before deciding whether to press ahead with the recommendation to shut the practice and transfer patients to surgeries in Pontyberem, Kidwelly or Llanelli.

The engagement period runs from 9 February to 6 April, with questionnaires being posted to every household and drop‑in events planned in Pontyates and Pontyberem.

Hywel Dda says the surgery has faced “ongoing and significant staffing challenges” for years and currently has no permanently employed GPs. The building itself is described as small, outdated and offering “limited facilities”.

In October, the health board convened a Vacant Practice Panel — a process used when a GP practice can no longer sustain itself — which concluded that dispersing the patient list was the “most sustainable long‑term solution”.

But the proposal has sparked deep concern in the Amman Gwendraeth area, where residents say the surgery is a lifeline for older people, those without transport and families who rely on being able to see a doctor locally.

Local councillors have repeatedly urged the health board to rethink, warning that neighbouring practices are already under pressure and that dispersal could leave vulnerable patients travelling miles for care.

In a statement launching the engagement period, Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda, acknowledged the strength of feeling.

“We understand the impact this proposed change has had on the local community in Pontyates and so we want to listen carefully to the views of those most affected,” he said.

“Your feedback will help us explore what support may be needed and will inform the Board when it considers the recommendation in May.”

Residents can return paper questionnaires to Meddygfa’r Sarn or Pontyates Community Pharmacy, complete the survey online, or attend one of two public drop‑in sessions:

Tuesday 24 February, 1pm–6.30pm, Pontyates Welfare Hall
Tuesday 3 March, 3pm–6pm, Pontyberem Memorial Hall

Feedback can also be submitted by phone or email by emailing [email protected], and Llais — the statutory patient voice body — is gathering views separately.

All responses will be presented to the health board ahead of its meeting on 28 May, when the future of the surgery will finally be decided.

For now, Meddygfa’r Sarn remains open as usual — but the community knows the clock is ticking.

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Councillors demand halt to Pontyates GP surgery closure plans as pressure mounts on Hywel Dda

The intervention comes just five days after Swansea Bay News first revealed the surgery’s future was in doubt on 22 January, sparking immediate concern among residents and community leaders.

In a letter sent yesterday to the Chair and Chief Executive of Hywel Dda, Pontyates councillors Alex Evans, Tyssul Evans and Meinir James set out a series of objections to the proposal, which is due to go out to public consultation on 9 February.

They say the health board appears to have a “preferred option” of closure before the consultation has even begun, and warn that the impact on patients has not been properly assessed.

The councillors argue that forcing thousands of patients to register elsewhere would pile pressure onto already overstretched practices in Pontyberem, Kidwelly and surrounding communities. For many residents — particularly older people, disabled patients, carers and those without cars — reaching alternative surgeries would require taking two buses.

They have asked the health board to confirm whether an Equality Impact Assessment and Health Impact Assessment have been completed and published, and say no consultation should begin until this work is done.

The letter also calls for a pause to the process and “meaningful engagement” with the community on alternatives to closure. A written response has been requested as a matter of urgency.

Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith said she “very much shares patients’ concerns” and has asked health board bosses to attend a public meeting with residents as part of the consultation.

The fight to save the surgery comes as Pontyates faces another major battle over local services. Earlier this month, villagers secured a temporary stay of closure for Pontyates Primary School, but parents warned the reprieve was only the start of a longer campaign.

Residents say losing both the school and the GP surgery would hollow out the village and leave families without essential services.

With the consultation on Meddygfa’r Sarn due to open in early February, campaigners say the next few weeks will be crucial for the future of healthcare in the Gwendraeth Valley.

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#CllrAlexEvans #CllrMeinirJames #CllrTyssulEvans #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #NiaGriffithMP #Pontiets #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery #YsgolPontiets

Community backlash grows as residents warn closure of Pontyates GP surgery would be “a massive blow”

The outcry follows Swansea Bay News’ report that Hywel Dda University Health Board is considering dispersing all 4,300 patients from Meddygfa’r Sarn to neighbouring practices from June 2026. Local councillors said they were “shocked” to learn of the proposal and had received no prior warning.

Councillors say they were blindsided by the announcement

Cllr Tyssul Evans and Cllr Meinir James, who both represent Llangyndeyrn Ward, and Cllr Alex Evans, who represents Glyn Ward, said they only discovered the proposal when the health board’s press release appeared on Facebook.

Cllr Tyssul Evans, Cllr Meinir James (Llangyndeyrn Ward) and Cllr Alex Evans (Glyn Ward) said:

“We were shocked to learn yesterday, via a press release shared on Facebook, of Hywel Dda University Health Board’s plans to consider closing Meddygfa’r Sarn GP surgery in Pontyates. We had no prior knowledge that the surgery was even at risk of closing and we fully appreciate the anxiety and concern this announcement will have caused for patients and residents.

“We understand the real concerns about how patients would be able to access GP care if the 4,300 patients registered in Pontyates were transferred to other surgeries in Pontyberem, Kidwelly and Llanelli. There is no direct bus route to Pontyberem for many patients registered at Meddygfa’r Sarn and there is no direct bus for anyone to Kidwelly. We also appreciate the potential knock‑on effect this could have on other local services in the village, including the chemist.

“We want to reassure everyone that we will do everything we can to save the surgery in Pontyates from closing. We will be launching a petition and outlining the further actions we propose to take in support of a campaign to save Meddygfa’r Sarn next week. We will be sure to keep you all fully updated as these details are finalised.”

Residents say closure would leave thousands cut off

Dozens of residents have now taken to social media to condemn the potential closure, describing the surgery as a lifeline for Pontyates and surrounding villages.

Many warned that neighbouring practices in Pontyberem, Kidwelly and Llanelli are already overstretched, with long waits for appointments and limited capacity.

Phillip Griffiths said the plan “makes no sense”, arguing that Pontyates Surgery is centrally located, has good parking and sits next to the village chemist. Others raised fears that the chemist itself could be at risk if the GP service disappears.

Kaye Hamer said many residents simply had no way of travelling to other surgeries. Jo Clarke warned the move would hit older patients hardest, saying it was “wrong” to expect people who have lived in the village all their lives to travel miles for care.

Lorraine Edwards said the proposal came “just when you think healthcare couldn’t get any worse”, while Andrew Williams said neighbouring practices already rely heavily on locum doctors, making continuity of care difficult.

Front view of Meddygfa’r Sarn in Pontyates, the GP surgery at the centre of proposals to disperse its patient list. Image: Google Maps.

Concerns over transport, capacity and impact on elderly patients

Residents repeatedly highlighted the lack of direct bus routes to Pontyberem and Kidwelly, with some journeys requiring multiple changes and taking hours.

Julie Harry said public transport was “absolutely non‑existent”, while Andrea Gower questioned how the health board expected patients to travel at all. She also disputed claims the site sits on a flood plain, saying she had “never seen the place flooded”.

Others warned the closure would be a “massive blow” to the village, particularly for elderly and vulnerable residents.

Lisa Evans‑James said her 93‑year‑old grandmother had relied on the surgery for decades and could not travel further afield. She said the practice offered continuity, familiarity and reassurance that could not be replaced by dispersing patients across multiple towns.

“This surgery isn’t just a building – it’s familiar faces, continuity of care, and reassurance,” she said. “To the health board we may just be numbers on a list, but behind every number is a person, a family, and a real need for accessible care.”

Petition launched as anger builds

A petition launched by local resident Clare Treharne has gathered more than 500 signatures in less than 24 hours. She warned that dispersing patients would mean longer travel distances, reduced continuity of care and increased pressure on already overstretched practices.

The petition calls on Hywel Dda to reject the proposal, consult properly with residents and commit to keeping GP services in Pontyates.

Health board urged to rethink

Many residents accused the health board of failing to understand the geography of the area or the realities of rural transport.

Helen Thomas said Pontyberem Surgery “can’t cope as it is”, while Ryan Hayhurst described the proposal as “outrageous”. Others warned the move would push more patients into already overstretched A&E departments.

Caroline Owens Green said the community “can’t sit back and let the health board push this through”, while Kerry Jane Hards said life would be “desperate” without the surgery.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has said no final decision has been made and that it will consider feedback before any recommendation is taken forward.

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#CllrAlexEvans #CllrMeinirJames #CllrTyssulEvans #GP #GPSurgery #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #Llangyndeyrn #MeddygfaRSarn #petition #Pontiets #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery

Future of Pontyates GP surgery in doubt as health board considers dispersing all 4,300 patients

A report going before the Board on Thursday 29 January recommends that the surgery’s entire patient list should be broken up and transferred elsewhere from 30 June 2026, ending almost a decade of the health board running the practice.

If approved, thousands of people in Pontyates would be automatically moved to other surgeries based on where they live, with most expected to be sent to Coalbrook Surgery in Pontyberem, Meddygfa Minafon in Kidwelly, or practices in Llanelli.

A surgery too small, too cramped — and sitting in a flood zone

The Board paper paints a stark picture of the Pontyates building. It describes a surgery that is simply too small for the number of patients it serves, with every room already in use and no space to expand. Staff have no proper break room, often relying on borrowed space elsewhere in the village.

The building sits at the bottom of the valley, in an area officially classed as a Natural Resources Wales flood zone. The car park and surrounding land have flooded before, leaving the surgery cut off, with staff unable to get in or out.

A recent Health & Safety inspection found exposed pipework, inadequate electrical points, missing downpipes, and no emergency lighting outside. The lease on the building runs out in October 2026, adding further pressure to find a long‑term solution.

No permanent GPs and rising costs

The report confirms that Meddygfa’r Sarn has no permanent doctors at all. The practice is now entirely dependent on locums, with the health board struggling to attract salaried GPs despite repeated attempts.

Running the surgery costs more than £1 million a year, with almost half of that spent on locum GP sessions alone. The panel reviewing the practice’s future said this level of reliance on temporary doctors is not sustainable and does not provide the continuity of care patients deserve.

What it means for people in Pontyates

For local residents, the impact could be significant. The nearest alternative practice, Coalbrook Surgery in Pontyberem, is three miles away, and public transport is limited, with only eight buses a day between the two villages. Some patients may have to travel even further, to Kidwelly or Llanelli, depending on their postcode.

Older patients, those without cars, and families juggling work and childcare could face longer journeys for appointments and reduced access to care if the dispersal goes ahead.

Why the panel wants dispersal

A Vacant Practice Panel met in October 2025 to examine four options: keeping Sarn as a standalone practice, merging it with Meddygfa Minafon, finding a new provider, or dispersing the patient list.

The panel ruled out keeping the surgery open, saying the combination of premises issues, workforce shortages, and rising costs made it unviable. A merger with Minafon would create a huge 13,000‑patient practice spread across multiple sites, which the panel felt would bring its own problems. Procuring a new provider was considered too risky and unlikely to solve the building issues.

Dispersal emerged as the only option the panel believed could guarantee long‑term stability for patients. Coalbrook Surgery has already told the health board it is keen to grow its list, which strengthened the case for transferring patients there.

“We have a duty to ensure safe and sustainable care”

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda, said the Board would give the recommendation careful consideration.

He said Meddygfa’r Sarn had struggled to provide the continuity of care the health board wanted for patients, and that dispersal may be the best way to ensure people in the area receive reliable, high‑quality GP services.

Andrew Carruthers, said:

“As a health board we have a duty to ensure safe, sustainable and high-quality delivery of General Medical Services for our population. 

“Meddygfa’r Sarn is a small and rural practice and has struggled to provide the level of continuity of care and services we would like for our patients. The panel felt that dispersing the patient list is the best way forward to ensure that patients have access to the best possible care and the Board will give careful consideration to this recommendation.

“If the recommendation of the Vacant Practice Panel is approved, the health board is committed to engaging with patients, staff, local communities and stakeholders before any changes are implemented to understand how the change could impact them and consider any mitigations needed.”

If the Board approves the recommendation, the health board says it will carry out full engagement with patients, staff and the local community before any changes are made.

No final decision yet

The Board will discuss the proposal on 29 January, with a seven‑week public engagement period planned if the recommendation is approved.

For now, the future of Pontyates’ only GP surgery remains uncertain — and thousands of local patients face the possibility of being moved to new practices by the summer.

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#CoalbrookSurgery #featured #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #Pontiets #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery #Pontyberem