Fears Over Health Centre Provision With ‘Termination’ of GP Contracts

Fears about the future of a health centre in Wrexham have been raised after a letter sent to patients stated that the GPs would be ‘terminating their contracts’ with the health board at the end of this year. 

The letter was received by patients at the Pen Y Maes Health Centre in Summerhill this morning, which stated that ‘the GPs of Pen Y Maes Health Centre have given notices that they will be terminating their contract from the Health Board on 30th September 2016’.

The Health Centre, which is located on Beech Street, Summerhill serves patients who live in Gwersyllt, Summerhill, New Broughton, Bradley, Moss Valley and even some parts of Brynteg.

However from October 1st 2016, the Pen Y Maes partnership will no longer be providing services for their patients.

It is believed that there is around 8000 people on the books at the surgery and who are likely to be affected by the changes.

The letter continues onto say that the Health Board are currently working to find a resolution for patients, with the document stating: “The Health Board is responsible for making sure people in North Wales are able to see a general practitioner.

“So the purpose of this letter is to reassure you that we are working closely with the GPs at Pen Y Maes to plan how will patients will continue to get the local services they need from April 2016 onwards.

“There is no need for you to take any action on receipt of this letter and normal services will be continuing from now until the end of September at which time we will have worked with your doctors and practice to best plan future services for you and your family.”

Patients have also been told that the Health Board will be keeping those affected informed of their progress and that they will respond to any comments or questions regarding the future of the surgery.

Since receiving the letters a number of patients have been in touch with Wrexham.com to raise concerns over the future of the health centre, with one person describing the news as ‘disgusting’, adding: “There are a lot of elderly patients who can’t travel far and who rely on the health centre, what’s going to happen to them?

“The lack of information in the letter leaves a lot of questions to be answered.”

Another person has been in touch to say: “This means that I and all of the other patients of this practice will no longer be treated by the GP who has for many years looked after the families around here.

“This is not the first practice to close its doors and I very much doubt it will be the last, what I and other patients want to know is, what the hell is going on with this Health Board? And what can we do about it?”

Given the nature of the letter being sent to patients over the weekend, we will update with further information on Monday when the relevant points of contact are available.