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A Bargoed surgery is changing hands to a company registered in Leicestershire, which will take over its running from the health board.

Caerphilly Observer understands that Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is promising a smooth transition for patients.

eHarleyStreet, Primary Care Solutions, will take over the management of Brytntirion Surgery on April 1.

According to the eHarleyStreet website, the management team is comprised of a group of “experts” from private business and healthcare sectors – including GPs.

The company aims to improve “morale and working environment” in the surgeries it runs while “continuing to deliver an efficient and positive patient experience”.

This is a different model from the usual partnership at most surgeries, where one or several self-employed GPs are business owners and also take care of the day-to-day running of the practice.

How has this happened?

Bryntirion Surgery was handed back to Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in 2017 after the former GPs resigned. It has run the practice ever since.

The health board also took on Markham Medical Centre as a branch surgery of Bryntirion in September 2019.

Both Bryntirion and Markham will be run by eHarleyStreet from April 1 this year after the health board advertised the contract late last year. 

The application to run Bryntirion was made by eHarleyStreet’s CEO, Dr Jalil Ahmed, and chief operating officer, Dr Jonathan Allinson

It was the only application received. 

eHarleyStreet currently runs several surgeries across England and Wales – including in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypool. 

The company previously applied to run Lawn Medical Practice in Rhymney, but this contract was given to the partners from Meddygfa Cwm Rhymni Practice instead.

“Very good news”

Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member, Hefin David, said that while the operator was “very good news” for patients, the primary health care sector was in need of reform.

Dr David continued: “Since I was elected in 2016, we’ve seen the surgery face a number of challenges – it needed significant support from the health board. 

“However, this is an excellent sign of improvement and I look forward to working with the new partners in the future.”

“Effectively moving from public sector-provided health care”

Speaking in the Senedd as part of First Minister’s Questions on January 9, Dr David said: “We are really glad that the GPs are taking over because it will mean they are less likely in Bargoed to see locums, they’ll see more full-time GP staff.

“But, at the same time, as a socialist and from the perspective of a socialist government this is effectively moving from public sector-provided health care to the private sector.”

Dr David argued the current model of primary health care is in fundamental need of reform.

Mark Drakeford welcomed the news that Aneurin Bevan health board has been able to find new providers.

The First Minister said: “It is not the first surgery the new team will run in the Aneurin Bevan area and I’m told the surgeries already run in this way have been welcomed by patients.

“There’s no doubt at all that we have moved into an era of a mixed economy in primary health care.

“There are far more salaried GPs employed by health boards but also employed within practices themselves.”

This article was updated on January 18 to remove the statement that there are three surgeries in Wales run by eHarleyStreet as their website stated.