A HEALTH watchdog has stepped in to raise its concerns over the closure of GP surgeries at Cardigan and Llandysul.

Ashleigh Surgery at Cardigan and Teifi Surgery at Llandysul, which between them cover around 10,000 patients, are both set to close in the coming months.

Hywel Dda Health Board has been looking at ways to accommodate those patients and transfers to neighbouring practices but now the local Community Health Council (CHC), an independent statutory organisation which represents the interests of patients and the public in the National Health Service, has told the health board it needs to do more.

A statement released by the CHC said: “People registered at Ashleigh and Teifi Surgeries are understandably saddened and anxious about the future of their local GP services.

“We also know that patients registered at other local practices are concerned too about how any changes might affect their own GP practice.

“It is vital that the health board works with local communities to come up with the best way forward for their local GP services.

“We have told the health board it needs to do more to make sure everyone who might be affected has a chance to have their say, to think carefully about the concerns and issues people have raised so far, and to review and further develop its plans in response.

“We will continue to work with the health board to make sure this happens. We want to hear from people who would be affected by any changes to their GP services. You can contact us at hyweldda@waleschc.org.uk or telephone us on 01646 697610.

A drop-in event had already been held by Hywel Dda at Llandysul and another is planned at Cardigan Guildhall for patients at the town’s Ashleigh Surgery. That takes place on Tuesday, November 20, from 2pm-7pm.