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There is doubt over whether a GP surgery in Rhymney will continue after its doctors handed back their contracts.
Dr Evans and Dr Stewart have announced they will resign from Lawn Medical Practice with effect from August 31 – patients will continue to receive care until this date.
There are currently 5,661 patients registered with the surgery.
A spokesperson for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said: “Due to ongoing recruitment difficulties and concerns around the practice’s future viability, the partners at the Lawn Medical Practice have notified the health board of their intention to resign their General Medical Services Contract.
“Between now and August 31, the Partners will continue to deliver general medical services to the patients registered with the practice, and the health board will work with the practice to ensure that service provision is not impacted during this time.
“A Vacant Practice Panel will convene as soon as possible to determine the best course of action after this period. We would like to reassure residents that they will continue to have access to GP services in their area, no matter which option is agreed upon.
“The Health Board has already written to patients registered with the practice to advise them of the partners’ resignation and to set out future arrangements.”
What is a Vacant Practice Panel?
Access to general medical services is the responsibility of the health boards when a doctor or doctors at a practice resign their contracts.
When a health board receives a general medical services (GMS) contract resignation, it then instigates the vacant practice process.
This process will include representatives who will consider the options available for the future provision of that practice.
Options that can be considered include: advertising the practice, allocating patients to local GP practices, and the health board assuming management of the practice.
A Vacant Practice Panel, which includes representatives from Gwent Local Medical Committee and Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council, will now come together to consider the “most appropriate course of action” for the practice.
A confidential recommendation will then be made to the health board.
Labour councillor Carl Cuss, who represents Twyn Carno, told Caerphilly Observer: “I understand this has raised some anxiety in the community as a lot of residents in the community are very happy with the service provided by the Lawn Medical Practice and we thank Dr Evans and partners for their long years of service to the community of Rhymney.
“We understand there are recruitment issues in this profession at present, however, the health board has said they will look at this vacancy and will feedback to all affected patients on the outcome moving forward.
“The practice will run as it stands until the end of August but we have been assured whatever the outcome of this is, residents, will continue to have access to GP services in the area.”
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