REPRESENTATIVES of Alyn Family Doctors have issued another warning over the future of one of their surgeries.

The potential future for Gresford Health Centre was outlined at a packed public meeting held at Llay Miners Welfare Institute.

Once again, Alyn Family Doctors have put forward plans to close the health centre, with previous plans having been rejected by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board only a few months ago.

Fresh plans presented to villagers again involve merging the Gresford centre's resources into the two remaining health centres in Llay and Rossett.

Speaking in front of a packed hall on Tuesday night, Dr Peter Colin said: "The way we presently operate is not sustainable.

"We remain a GP-led service which has led to lone working which is unsafe and unsustainable.

"Over the last 20 years GP workload has increased.

"We are proposing two sites – one in Llay and one in Rossett.

"We are very aware of future pressures and we have tried hard over a number of years to adapt how we work.

"We feel we can not safely provide a service over three sites. By moving to two sites we can centralise admin, which will free up GPs.

"This change in location would see no reduction in GPs. By moving to two sites, we can move administration to one site."

Dr Colin added: "The amalgamation of two sites is medium term – we have for years wanted one site.

"Given the economic climate, we don't anticipate that we'll be able to develop three sites.

"The way we work as a health service has to change. We cannot continue to provide three sites sustainably."

Speaking after the meeting Llay county councillor Rob Walsh said his biggest concern was the possibility of the practice closing altogether if the move was not given support.

"I understand where the doctors are coming from," he said.

"I do worry that if they aren't given extra support the practice will close altogether."

But Cllr Walsh added: "The elephant in the room for me is the transport situation.

"It's very difficult for elderly residents who would have to travel between Llay, Gresford and Rossett, wherever the central hub would be, especially with the changes that are happening to bus services."

In a statement last autumn Wrexham Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths said: "Ian Lucas MP and I have welcomed a decision which should ensure a GP surgery remains in Gresford.

"Alyn Family Doctors, who run the practice, announced in April that they planned to transfer services based in Gresford to their other surgeries in Llay and Rossett.

"However, I received a letter from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s chief executive Gary Doherty confirming they have rejected the proposal.

"From the beginning, both Ian Lucas MP and I made it clear Gresford needed its own surgery.

"The letter I have received does indicate Alyn Family Doctors intend to appeal the decision.

"Moving forward, it is important local residents from Gresford and across Wrexham receive the best possible services and I will continue to work with relevant partners to help ensure this happens"