PATIENTS in Holywell have had their appointments cancelled after being told there is no sickness cover for GPs at their local surgery.

Due to staff sickness within the Panton Place Surgery in Holywell, Flintshire, there is no GP cover today (April 3).

Residents who called the GP practice this morning were informed there were no GPs and as a result have not been able to get an appointment with a doctor.

On Facebook, a young mother said she was contacted after the surgery had no choice but to cancel her scheduled toddler's appointment.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have since confirmed an advanced Nurse Practitioner is providing support but patients may experience some difficulty in making an appointment for today.

Patients with on-the-day acute conditions will be referred by a member of the surgery team to the Urgent Primary Care Centre in Wrexham, if they meet the urgent referral criteria. This is a same day service.

For those with minor ailments, pharmacies throughout the area operate a Common Ailments Service and may be able to dispense free medication to treat your condition.

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In January, Panton Surgery confirmed it would be appointing three permanent staff members following an influx of temporary doctors.

The new GPs were all expected to start their positions by the end of this month. 

At the time of the announcement, Elin Gwynedd, Chief of Staff for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said it was "really positive news for the surgery and its patients".