Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

A community councillor has criticised the decision to close a surgery in Deri, suggesting that more surgeries – rather than fewer – are needed to provide adequate medical services. 

Independent councillor Eddy Blanche, who sits on Darran Valley Community Council, has critiqued the fact that Deri Medical Centre is set to shut on October 20, 2023 after Meddygfa Cwm Rhymni’s application was supported by the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in a public board meeting in July.

This means patients will now need to access care at either the main surgery in Rhymney or the remaining branch surgery in New Tredegar. 

Mr Blanche shared his thoughts on the decision with Caerphilly Observer and said: “We need more surgeries – we don’t need fewer…keep it open and invest in it.”

He continued: “The powers that be live in…high-density population areas and don’t understand living in rural communities.” 

Deri is a part of the Darran Valley council ward, which according to the ONS 2021 census has a population of just 2,400 compared to 16,000 in the Caerphilly community area.

In a statement provided to Caerphilly Observer, a spokesperson for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said that following a period of engagement with patients and a vacant practice panel on June 7, the recommendation was to close.

The panel included representation from Llais (formerly Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council) and Gwent Local Medical Committee. The panel “considered all responses received as part of the engagement process from patients and interested parties and reviewed the practice application and supporting information presented by the GP partners”.

The spokesperson continued: “The recommendation of the panel was to support the application to close Deri Branch Surgery, Bargoed which has been approved by the executive team and board.  

“We understand this may be unsettling for some patients, however, the decision was made to ensure the practice can continue to deliver safe, effective care to patients and to support the future sustainability of the practice. All patients have been sent a letter making them aware of this decision, along with a number of frequently asked questions which addresses the concerns raised during the engagement process.”

Cllr Blanche described the process as a “box-ticking” exercise and highlighted that several residents, as had been mentioned by questionnaires returned to the health board, said they were unaware services were available at the surgery. 

“From what I understand from speaking to a couple of residents,” said Cllr Blanche, “they thought the surgery was already closed.”

Caerphilly Observer asked the health board if there was a period of time that the surgery was closed and if so, were patients told the centre had reopened.

A spokesperson for ABUHB said: “The Deri branch surgery was closed for a period of time, like many branch surgeries, for a period during the pandemic and reopened to its usual opening hours of 8am to 1.30pm, Tuesday to Friday in October 2020.”

‘Struggling to cope’

Cllr Blanche, who lives in Fochriw, is a patient at Meddygfa Cwm Rhymni and uses the Rhymney premises for treatment. 

Cllr Blanche said: “The current surgeries in the area are struggling to cope with the current number of patients without adding more patients to that.”

He continued: “Trying to get appointments is difficult.” 

This could now be made worse by a growing register of patients. 

There are 12,800 patients within the main practice Meddygfa Cwm Rhymni but 777 of those patients accessed services at the Deri branch, according to a supporting document provided at the board meeting.

This comes alongside an additional 5,500 patients who will be added to Meddygfa Cwm Rhymni’s current register of patients as the practice takes on the contract from Rhymney’s Lawn Medical Practice.

Though staff who worked at Deri and Lawn Medical Practice will be transferred over, concerns have been raised over a lack of additional GPs. 

Caerphilly Observer asked the health board if more GPs will be taken on. A spokesperson responded: “The clinical staff from the Deri branch site will transfer to the remaining sites.

“The practice feels that having one less site may also help to attract new GPs or other clinical staff to work at Meddygfa Cwm Rhymni Practice.”

They continued: “Providing care from one less site will support the practice to have a greater range of clinical expertise available under the same roof, enhancing patient care and safety and providing better continuity of care for patients.”

Travel ‘isn’t easy’

Further concerns have been raised around travelling to New Tredegar or Rhymney from Deri and Fochriw. 

Speaking about Fochriw residents, Cllr Blanche said: “What they don’t realise is [for] local residents to travel to New Tredegar isn’t easy.

“There is a bus station but you need to get two buses.”

Mr Blanche added that his wife often travels to the surgery in Rhymney and that a taxi can cost £14. 

Age was raised as a factor in the health board’s equality report, where it was noted that closing the surgery would be a high-impact decision in this category. 

Cllr David Nicholas, who represents Deri and Groesfaen on Darran Valley Community Council, previously told Caerphilly Observer that the need to travel to access care of any kind was a worry for constituents and said: “It’s a very elderly village.”

A spokesperson for ABUHB said: “Following the recent engagement period where people could feedback about the proposed closure, the practice understands that a small number of patients may have difficulties travelling to alternative sites. 

“They will try and accommodate patients by offering a range of consultations including telephone and video consultation, but there will be occasions where a face-to-face appointment is needed. The practice will continue to undertake home visits to registered patients where clinically appropriate, regardless of where they reside.

“If you feel you cannot travel to Rhymney or New Tredegar, you may wish to register with another GP practice closer to home. As long as you live within their practice’s boundary, you can. 

“The surgery below covers most of the Deri area and practice contact numbers and practice websites are included for your convenience: GP Practice Bryntirion Surgery, 01443 830 769 www.bryntirionsurgery.wales.nhs.uk”

Cllr Blanche thought another solution could work and said: “Twice a week they could organise a mobile medical centre,” adding that it would be possible to run blood tests or run-of-the-mill appointments 

“That means pulling a couple of members of staff out of the surgery…send them down a couple of times a week to deal with elderly people who can’t get out and about.”

A spokesperson from ABUHB said: “By closing Deri, the practice is able to consolidate services in fewer sites enabling long-term sustainability and ongoing delivery of services. 

“Patients will remain registered with Meddygfa Cwm Rhymni unless they choose to register elsewhere, and any housebound patients will be able to request a home visit if needed. There are a number of community transport services operating in the area.”