Seeking your views on an application from Crickhowell Group Practice to close Belmont Branch Surgery in Gilwern

24 May 2023 Update

Powys Teaching Health Board has today agreed to accept an application from Crickhowell Group Practice to close their branch surgery in Gilwern in Monmouthshire.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Board on 24 May 2023 in line with the health board’s branch practice review process which included: review of the application from the practice; engagement with patients and local stakeholders; careful consideration of potential alternatives to accepting the application; and, identification of actions that should be taken if the application is accepted.

More information is available from our website: The application to close Belmont Branch surgery has been approved by the Board - Powys Teaching Health Board (nhs.wales)

18 May 2023 Update

Powys Teaching Health Board will consider the application received from Crickhowell Group Practice to close Belmont Branch Surgery in Gilwern at a meeting in public (online) at 9.30am on Wednesday 24 May 2023.

When we receive applications of this nature they are considered in accordance with our branch surgery review process, including the period of engagement from 10 January 2023 to 6 March 2023. We were very grateful to over 700 patients and wider stakeholders who shared their views as part of that engagement. The feedback we received has been summarised in the engagement report which we published in March on this page (see Documents section). An updated version of this report will be included in our Board papers.

Following engagement, the application from the practice and the response from patients and stakeholders has been considered by our Branch Practice Review Panel. The Panel gave careful and diligent consideration to all available information and came to the view that no feasible alternatives to accepting the application had been identified. They will therefore be recommending this to the Board at its meeting next week.

This recommendation has clearly not been made lightly, particularly recognising the strength of feeling from the community and the views shared about the potential impact of closure of the branch surgery. Clearly if the recommendation is accepted by the Board we will wish to ensure that a robust mitigation plan is in place that responds to the issues and concerns.

A copy of the papers will be available in advance of the meeting from our website at https://pthb.nhs.wales/board-meetings. Our Board meetings currently take place online via Microsoft Teams, and this page will also include information about how to join the proceedings.

March Update:

Engagement took place from 10 January to 6 March 2023.
Following the engagement, the health board has analysed the feedback received and produced a draft engagement report and annexes. The report is being shared with the Powys Teaching Health Board, Crickhowell Group Practice, Powys Community Health Council, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council and Dyfed Powys Local Medical Committee.
The report will inform a recommendation on the way forward, which will be debated in public at a meeting of the Powys Teaching Health Board before the end of May.

Archive Information

Powys Teaching Health Board has received an application from Crickhowell Group Practice to close their Belmont Branch Surgery in Gilwern.

The main reasons for the application are:

• The forthcoming retirement of four GP partners who are the owners of the branch surgery premises, with lack of viable alternatives for transfer of ownership.
• Challenges across the UK to recruit and retain general medical practitioners (GPs).

The Health Board has therefore implemented its Branch Practice Review Process, which includes:

• Receiving and reviewing the application from the practice.
• Sharing information with patients and wider stakeholders to seek your views.
• Engaging with the Community Health Council, which is the statutory body to represent the interest of patients and the public.
• Conscientious consideration of the feedback we receive, and taking this into account when making a decision on the application at a meeting in public of Powys Teaching Health Board.

This period of engagement is taking place from 10 January 2023 to 6 March 2023.

• Read the letter to patients
• Find out more in our frequently asked questions and equality impact assessment
• Join us at an online event or drop-in event
• Use our online questionnaire to let us know your views by 6 March 2023
• More information about how to share your views.

Information in other formats:

• Easy Read
• BSL (below)
• Audio (below)

Audio Version and BSL Version:

Online Engagement Event on 30 January 2023

if you weren't able to join our Online Engagement Event on 30 January 2023 it is available to watch here: