THE ASSEMBLY Member for Wrexham Lesley Griffiths and MP Ian Lucas have expressed their concerns at the possibility of closing Gresford GP

In a joint letter to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the duo say that if Alyn Family Doctors do not wish to provide a GP service, the Health Board should ensure other GPs are sought.

The joint letter to the Health Board’s Chief Executive also highlights the geographical and logistical inpracticalities of transferring a service from Gresford to Llay and Rossett and the clear flaws in reducing a service when demand is increasing. It also implores the Health Board to consider submitting a bid for a share of additional Welsh Government funding recently announced.

Lesley Griffiths AM said: “Having contacted Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Services on this matter, I am grateful for their respective responses and the additional information I have received.

“Whether services are provided by Alyn Family Doctors or an alternative practice, I firmly believe a GP surgery should remain in the village. Welsh Government funding could be available to improve health centres and as Gresford is a popular and expanding part of Wrexham, it appears suitable for future investment and should be considered accordingly.

“Ultimately, it is the Health Board’s responsibility to ensure every resident has access to a GP and funding for this is provided by the Welsh Government. However, as I have previously highlighted, it is important to remember that GPs are self employed and independent contractors who, unfortunately, cannot be told what to do when they want to allocate or move their services in a particular way."

Ian Lucas MP commented: “The prospect of Gresford not having a GPs’ surgery is, quite simply, unacceptable.

“We cannot countenance a situation where such an important public facility will be closed. If the GPs that are operating in Gresford now do not want to provide services, then the Health Board should be looking for other GPs to provide a service there.

“Access to the surgery in Llay is extremely difficult for elderly people in Gresford due to a lack of public transport connections, and the Rossett facility is inadequate in terms of its size.

“We have to make sure a GPs' practice is retained in such an important part of Wrexham. It’s what we pay our taxes for and why we value our NHS so highly.”