A petition to preserve New Quay Surgery in Ceredigion has gathered nearly 600 signatures in just a few days, with a public meeting scheduled for next month amid fears it could shut.
Last week, Hywel Dda University Health Board released a statement regarding the surgery following the resignation of the GP partners from the practice's General Medical Services contract.
No decision about the surgery has been reached yet, and patients will continue to access GP services as usual until March 31, 2027, while the health board examines the surgery's long-term prospects.
Community campaign launched
Local county councillor Matthew Vaux said: "Losing New Quay Surgery would have a huge impact on our community. I respect the decisions of the doctors who have served this community and would firstly like to thank them for their service."
"For many residents, old, young, vulnerable, those without easy access to transport, having a GP locally is essential."
"I welcome the fact that the health board has started working to secure a future provider of services at New Quay surgery, and we need to make sure that work leads to a sustainable local service."
"I will work closely with the health board and encourage residents to share their views at every opportunity to support the continued provision here in New Quay."
Residents launched a campaign to safeguard the surgery after its future was cast into uncertainty. A Change.org petition launched by Rhydian Jones has gathered 546 signatures.
Petition warns of job losses and longer trips
The petition states: "For generations, New Quay Surgery has been at the heart of our community, caring for local families, supporting our elderly and vulnerable residents, and providing essential healthcare close to home."
"With the surgery's future now uncertain, we face the very real possibility of losing a service that thousands of us rely upon. If we lose our surgery, what will it mean for you and your family?"
The petition warns that numerous patients could face considerably longer trips to access a GP or nurse, and the closure of the surgery might result in the loss of 20 jobs and could potentially jeopardise the future of the town's nearby pharmacy.
It continues: "The health board has confirmed that no final decision has been made about the future of New Quay Surgery. That means now is the time for our community to make its voice heard. We are organising a community campaign to demonstrate just how important our surgery is to New Quay and the surrounding villages."
Public meeting scheduled
A public gathering is scheduled at the town's memorial hall on October 13, from 6.30pm, with campaigners announcing they will be running a Facebook campaign "to bring our community together, share information and encourage as many people as possible to get involved," alongside a paper petition to Hywel Dda being coordinated.
It continues: "The more people who stand together, the stronger our community's voice will be. We have until March 2027 to make our case for the future of New Quay Surgery."
"Let's use that time to show just how much our surgery means to us."
