Llanelli MS reassured by Health Board about the future of local surgery

Lee Waters, Member of the Senedd for the Llanelli constituency, has received reassurance that the communities of Cross Hands and Tumble will not be left without a surgery when one of the partners retires in March 2024.

The GP partners made the difficult decision to hand back its contract for Cross Hands and Tumble Surgery to the Health Board, following unsuccessful attempts to recruit an additional GP or Advanced Practitioner to join the busy practice.

Residents contacted the MS concerned that the surgery would no longer be in a position to keep going. Lee Waters acknowledged that it is always very worrying for patients when they hear about GPs retiring, and said:

“I completely understand people’s fears that they may be left without a surgery. However, I have discussed this with Hywel Dda’s Director of Primary Care, Jill Paterson, and she was very reassuring. The worst case scenario would be to spread patients amongst neighbouring surgeries, but the health board are looking at other options including attracting new Doctors to take over the practice, or managing it themselves directly as they do in six other surgeries across the Board.”

In the meantime, it is understood that all current patients of the surgery are being advised to remain registered and that they will continue to have access to its services.

Mr. Waters added: ” I have been told that the Health Board are going to hold a drop-in session from 2pm on Wednesday 8th November at Tumble Hall for people to discuss the next steps. I would urge anyone with concerns to attend.”