Proposal to close Gresford Health Centre – Public meeting to be held

A ‘transfer of GP services’ from Gresford Health Centre to Rossett Surgery and Llay Health Centre has been proposed, with a local Councillor ‘very angry’ on how the issue has been handled.

The Gresford Health Centre on Poplar Avenue has started to write letters and distribute posters (copied below) informing people of the decision.

They write: “We are sorry to announce that we are applying to the Betsi Cadwaladar University Health Board to consider a proposal to transfer all GP services at Gresford health centre to Rossett Surgery and Llay Health Centre.

“Apart from location your services will be unaffected and likely enhanced. We feel this change is required to secure long term sustainable and viability of the practice and to maintain a safe, effective and quality service.

They add: “There is now a consultation period until 14th May 2018 and we want to hear your feedback.”

Gresford Councillor Andrew Atkinson said: “I am very angry and extremely disappointed at the handling of this and the decision itself which I have made clear to the partners at the practice. I fully understand their many challenges and the factors outside of their control but I do not like the decision.”

“I’ve organised a public meeting along with Cllr Gilmartin so that residents can raise their concerns directly with the practice as they are the decision makers in this.”

Councillor Russell Gilmartin said: “I will be challenging this decision and representing the views and concerns of my residents. My residents have already raised many concerns about this due to the rumours circulating the village for so long.

“Im organising a public meeting with Cllr Atkinson to update our constituents where we hope they can speak directly to practice partners as we’ve requested. We need as many residents as possible to know about this meeting and I’d be grateful to anyone that can help us deliver information leaflets, please get in touch with either one of us.”

The Practice had asked for an embargo until this morning for the information, however Councillors were made aware that patients had seen signs – copied below – in public before that point.

Cllr Atkinson says the date of the public meeting will be confirmed shortly – and we will circulate it once known.

Copy of the letter below, and poster below:

Poster: