After weeks of petitioning and campaigning against the closure of Harbour View Surgery in Burry Port, councillors have now met with Hywel Dda University Health Board.
County councillors John James, Amanda Fox and Shirley Matthews met with primary care staff from Hywel Dda, as well as the retiring GP Dr Lodha, to weigh up their options as to what will happen to current patients.
Speaking after the meeting, county councillor John James said: “Hywel Dda informed us they had not changed their minds and that the surgery would close on July 31.
“They asked us if we could support this move but we made it clear that there was not enough information given for us to consider this.
“We also stressed that we didn’t want to be part of the ‘oops factor’ where something is put in to practice but doesn’t work and only to put one’s hand up and say ‘oops, it’s not working but it’s too late to go back to how it was’.”
However, the health board has agreed to a drop-in meeting where members of the public can have their questions answered directly.
The date for the public meeting has yet to be arranged, but it is set to take place at Burry Port ’s Memorial Hall.
County councillor Amanda Fox said: “We told the board members that we felt strongly that they should meet with the public so that a two-way conversation could take place, to which they agreed to do.
“We are now in the process of setting this meeting up with the health board.”
Since hearing of the closure, current patients created a petition, as well as attending a health board meeting with a number of councillors to try and get answers.
Hywel Dda has already apologised for the lack of communication about the closure, as many patients weren’t aware of it.
Councillor John James added: “People haven’t been kept in the frame so the drop-in meeting will be a good thing so that they can get their questions answered.”
Elaine Lorton, Assistant Director of Primary Care for Hywel Dda, confirmed that: "Representatives from the health board were part of a constructive discussion, on Tuesday, June 6, with staff from Harbour View Surgery, the community health council and local councillors regarding public concerns over the closure of the practice.
"The health board provided an explanation behind the reason a dispersal of the patients has been approved as the preferred choice to ensure that all patients continue to receive primary care services near to where the live.
"The health board can confirm that patient letters will be issued within the next two weeks identifying the practice to which patients will be allocated from August 1.
"There is no need for patients to do anything different at this point.
"A public drop-in session is also being arranged for next month, details of which will be communicated in the letter which each patient will receive."
