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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Pontyates surgery gets temporary lifeline as health board delays final decision

Hywel Dda confirmed today that it will not immediately adopt a recommendation from its Vacant Practice Panel to close the Pontyates site and disperse all 4,350 patients to neighbouring practices. Instead, the Board said it will “hear the views of patients and the local community” before making a final decision in May.

The recommendation to close the surgery was first set out by the Vacant Practice Panel, which Hywel Dda convened in October 2025 “in line with national guidance” to review long‑term options for Meddygfa’r Sarn. According to the health board, the panel examined continued health board management, mergers with neighbouring practices, procuring a new provider, and managed dispersal. Hywel Dda said the panel concluded that dispersal “offered the most sustainable long‑term solution”.

The Board discussed that recommendation at its meeting on Thursday but agreed to pause the process and begin an eight‑week engagement period from Monday 9 February to Monday 6 April. Hywel Dda said the purpose is to understand “the potential impacts” of the proposal and what support may be needed if the closure goes ahead.

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said the Board had a duty to ensure patients could access “safe, high‑quality and sustainable GP services”.

“We recognise that this recommendation may mean significant change for patients and communities, which is why it is essential that we take the time to listen before making a final decision,” he said. “The engagement period will allow people to share their views, ask questions, and help inform the Board’s decision in May.”

Hywel Dda said no changes will take place during the engagement period and stressed that Meddygfa’r Sarn “will continue as normal”. The health board also thanked the community for the support shown to staff during what it described as “a period of change”.

The health board said patients, staff and stakeholders will be able to attend public drop‑in events during the engagement period, with dates to be announced shortly. Patients will also receive letters explaining how to take part, and a survey will be available online and in paper form from 9 February.

Meddygfa’r Sarn has been directly managed by Hywel Dda since 2017, after the former GP partners resigned their contract. The health board said the practice has faced “ongoing and significant staffing challenges” and currently has no permanently employed GPs. It also described the Pontyates building as “small” with “limited facilities”.

If the panel’s recommendation is ultimately approved, Hywel Dda said patients would be transferred to the nearest suitable practice, including Coalbrook Surgery in Pontyberem, Meddygfa Minafon in Kidwelly, and for some patients, practices in Llanelli.

The announcement follows months of public pressure, with councillors and residents previously warning that closing the Pontyates site would be a “massive blow” to the village and surrounding communities.

Hywel Dda said further information about the engagement process will be shared in the coming days.

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Welsh Government hands GPs £41m pay boost after threat of dispute

The deal, struck between ministers, NHS Wales and the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) Wales, includes a 4% uplift to the general medical services contract in 2025‑26 — in line with independent DDRB recommendations — and a guaranteed 5.8% recurrent funding uplift from 2026‑27.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said the package “demonstrates our unwavering commitment to general practice in Wales,” adding:

“The 4% pay uplift ensures fair recognition for GPs and practice staff who work tirelessly to deliver care for communities across our country.”

What’s in the deal

The settlement delivers £37.9m in fresh investment, backed up by £4m re‑deployed from capacity funding, to shore up surgeries for 2025‑26. Alongside the pay rise, there’s a 1.77% uplift for expenses to help practices cope with spiralling costs, and a recurrent £20m injection to stabilise services and prepare for reform.

The partnership premium is also being boosted to keep experienced GPs in the system and make partnerships more attractive — a move aimed at securing continuity of care for patients. And in a significant step, the government has promised the first full review in more than 20 years of the allocation formula for the General Medical Services contract, raising hopes that funding will finally reflect the realities of today’s communities.

Hard‑won agreement

But the deal didn’t come easily. Doctors had warned they were prepared to enter a formal contract dispute and even ballot for collective action if ministers failed to meet their demands.

Dr Gareth Oelmann, chair of the BMA’s GP committee in Wales, said:

“This settlement provides much‑needed stability for practices and recognises the tireless work of GPs and their teams. But it comes against a backdrop of years of underinvestment, and we will continue to press for a fairer share of NHS funding for general practice.”

Committee members unanimously backed the final package, describing it as a stabilising step that gives practices the certainty they need to plan ahead. The profession, however, made clear that trust has been strained by years of underfunding — and that the promised review of the allocation formula will be a crucial test of whether funding really reflects the needs of today’s communities.

Wider concerns

Critics warn the funding boost doesn’t undo a decade of decline. The BMA has pointed out that the share of NHS Wales spending on general practice has dropped from 8.7% to just 6% since 2005 — a slide described as “like turning a supertanker.” Only last year, almost 99% of Welsh GPs rejected a government contract offer, underlining how fragile confidence remains.

Miles insisted the multi‑year deal will allow practices to invest in transformation and deliver more care closer to home. Working groups are also being set up to improve access standards and tackle diabetes prevention, with GPs actively involved in shaping new service models.

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Former GP surgery manager ordered to repay £25,000 after defrauding Neath practice

Court hearings

Kimberley Wilson, 52, of Tabernacle Street, Skewen, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on 12 September for a compensation hearing. She was ordered to repay £5,000 at £200 a month for the next two years, in addition to the £20,000 she returned in July.

Wilson had already been sentenced on 7 August to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, along with 25 days of rehabilitation activity and 200 hours of unpaid work. She had pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position at Swansea Magistrates’ Court in May.

How the fraud was uncovered

Wilson was employed as practice manager at Castle Surgery, Neath, between April 2019 and March 2023, when she was dismissed for gross misconduct.

Concerns were first raised by the surgery’s accountants, who spotted irregularities in the books. An investigation by NHS Counter Fraud Service Wales found Wilson had been:

• Using the practice’s business bank account to buy personal goods
• Transferring money into her own account under references such as “petty cash” and “advance”

In total, she stole £49,213.08. A financial investigator obtained a production order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which gave access to her bank accounts and confirmed the findings.

Gambling and personal spending

The court heard Wilson spent most of the stolen money on day‑to‑day expenses and to fund her gambling habit.

Emily Thompson, Counter Fraud Specialist at NHS CFS Wales, said:

“Wilson abused her position of trust to steal money that was meant for NHS patient care. Her actions were motivated by greed and represent a serious breach of the trust placed in her by her employers and colleagues. This outcome sends a clear message that diverting funds from the NHS is unacceptable and will result in serious consequences, including a criminal record.”

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