RESIDENTS are to stage a protest against the planned closure of a village GP surgery in Wrexham.

Alyn Family Doctors have launched a consultation on the proposed permanent relocation of the GP surgery from Gresford Health Centre to their other surgeries in Rossett and Llay.

But residents have launched a campaign to stop this from happening, with a protest planned outside the health centre at 11am on Saturday and a petition now having reached 1369 signatures.

Residents are expected to gather outside the entrance to the surgery for a peaceful and socially distanced protest, with people asked to wear masks if they plan to take part.

A post on the Gresford and Marford Facebook page says: "Following the above post to save our doctors surgery I feel there is enough support and interest to propose we present ourselves outside the Gresford Health Centre on Saturday morning August 7th, 11am.

"Bring as many friends and family as possible. Make signs with simple statements, placards with messages to the Alyn practice. Please come on foot, if you must drive then park as far away as possible and with consideration to your neighbours in the village. Please wear face masks and keep to social distancing.

"This peaceful show of support for the continuation of doctors services out of Gresford Health Centre is just that. Peaceful, respectful but definitely to show our united need of respect from those doctors who have chosen to serve us but have lost their way in that endeavour. Thank you."

Protest organiser John Hogg-Williams said that he had been out in the village talking to residents and posting flyers to invite people to take part in the protest.

Both he and his wife Christine, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer, are planning to be there.

John said that it didn't make sense to him that Alyn Family Doctors could consider closing the GP surgery in Gresford and expecting residents to travel to Llay or Rossett instead, which have smaller populations.

'Lack of consultation'

He also criticised the timing of the consultation, since many people are away in August. He has backed Cllr Andrew Atkinson's calls for the consultation period to be extended into September.

Cllr Atkinson, who has said he will challenge any closure plans, has said that this request has been turned down by Alyn Family Doctors.

John Hogg-Williams said that some residents were currently having to rely on friends to get lifts when they had a GP appointment now, with some considering moving to a GP surgery in Wrexham since it would be easier in terms of access via public transport.

He added: "We are opposed to the lack of consultation. Gresford is the largest village out of the three and yet we are told we must go to Rossett or Llay. Rossett surgery is very small and is not even purpose-built. Our surgery is purpose-built.

"I have been going around the village to drop flyers off and most people I have spoken to are incensed with what is proposed. I'd say that 60 to 80 per cent of those I spoke to this morning said they would be at the protest on Saturday."

Meanwhile, surgery bosses have spoken out to put paid to rumours that the building housing the surgery was to be sold off, stressing that this is most definitely not the case and that the district nurse and health visitor services will continue to be based there.

A practice spokesman said: "Contrary to some online rumours, under this proposal Gresford Health Centre will remain as an important health building for the community, housing the district nurses and health visitors. It does not mean the closing of the centre whole scale nor selling it for housing or profit."

Online petition

Health centre bosses also spoke out to correct some of the wording of the preamble to the online petition, which relates to the original closure plans from 2019.

A spokesperson added: "This preamble to the petition is from three years ago and is factually incorrect. Patients can choose to be seen in either Rossett or Llay. Llay Health Centre has ample, free car parking (over 40 spaces); Rossett Surgery has free on-road parking and a Council-operated car park with 32 spaces on the same road.

"Over the last 12 weeks, we’ve received over 2,000 medical enquiries through our eConsult service. Data shows 95 per cent of patients are consulted by a doctor or nurse within just two days of submitting their request. Not being stretched over three sites means we’re more efficient and have been able to increase appointment numbers to accommodate increasing demand.”

Gill Harris, deputy chief executive and executive director of nursing and midwifery at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “As an independent contractor, partners at Alyn Family Doctors are responsible for carrying out comprehensive engagement with their patients over proposals to permanently close Gresford Health Centre. As part of their application to the health board, the practice must undertake a detailed Equality Impact Assessment and demonstrate the steps it has taken to consider and mitigate any adverse consequences for patients.

“The practice’s ongoing consultation is being conducted with support and guidance from the North Wales Community Health Council and the consultation period has been set in conjunction with the practice’s patient participation group, in order for it to be as inclusive as possible. All feedback received will be carefully considered by our Primary Care Panel.”

A spokesperson for Alyn Family Doctors said: "We respect the concern of those protesting but urge them to also send in their comments and suggestions to our public consultation so that they can be properly evaluated. Its purpose is to help us ensure we have considered every perspective and suggestion for how we can make the situation better. For example, after a constructive meeting with Gresford Community Council, we are already working with them on suggestions around community transport and additional disabled parking at Rossett.

"Contrary to rumours online, this proposal is not motivated by increasing profits nor are there any plans of selling the site for development. The site is not ours. It will remain open as a health centre for the district nurses and the health visitors to see their patients.

"Our proposal is focused on reinvesting any financial and operational savings in more appointments and more staff to support them, to provide a better service to our patients. Over the last 12 weeks, we’ve received over 2,000 medical enquiries through our eConsult service. Data shows 95% of patients are consulted by a doctor or nurse within just 2 days of submitting their request. Not being stretched over three sites means we’re more efficient and have been able to increase appointment numbers by 135 per week (17%) to accommodate increasing demand.

"Whilst putting a GP back in amongst the district nurses and health visitors may seem like a win for the community, it is a backwards step. Working from three sites places too much strain on staff, GPs and resources resulting in fewer GP and nurse appointments and more unscheduled closures because of GP and staff shortages.

"Alyn Family Doctors is trying to increase access to GP services by modernising the service. This protest, unfortunately, harks back to an era that no longer exists, and will actively reduce the availability of GP appointments to our most vulnerable.

"The consultation period gives ample time for patients to respond outside potential holidays. The process was agreed in advance with BCUHB and the Community Health Council."