IT IS HOPED that a new partnership to run a Conwy Valley GP practice that has ended their contract with the health board will be secured.

The partners of Meddygfa Betws-y-Coed Surgery, based at Pentre Du, have given notice that they will be ending their contract with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) from April 30 2024.   

Patients would face a potential 36-mile round trip to visit the GP if the practice shut its doors in April 2024; existing patients would have to travel to Cerrigydrudion or Llanrwst.

Alison Kemp, Associate Director for Primary Care and Community (Central) at BCUHB, said: “The partners of Betws Y Coed GP Practice have given notice that they will be ending their contract with the Health Board from April 30 2024.   

"The health board went out to tender to secure a new partnership to run the Practice from 1st May 2024. The tender closed on January 12 2024 and we are pleased to report that interviews for the shortlisted bidders were held this week. We are now taking steps to award the contract to a new partnership which will maintain the same level of service provision.   

“Health board representatives held a public meeting in the area earlier this month which was a great opportunity to meet with the local community, listen to any concerns, and to explain that we are working with the practice and provide reassurance that services will continue during this period of transition. 

“We remind patients and staff there is no need for them to leave the practice. Services will continue to run whilst we appoint new contract holders, and we will continue to keep patients informed of any further developments.” 

Llŷr Gruffydd MS, Conwy County Councillor Liz Roberts, representatives of Llais North Wales and Betws y Coed Community Council, held a public meeting with  bosses of the BCUHB on Monday, January 8 at the Memorial Hall in Betws y Coed.

Mr Gruffydd said: “Local residents were understandably very concerned when they heard the news that that doctors at Betws y Coed GP practice were bringing their contract to an end in April 2024.

“The loss of this GP practice would have a hugely detrimental impact on the community that relies on it.

“The potential alternatives that had previously been mentioned to existing patients were travelling to Cerrigydrudion or Llanrwst. Neither of these options are accessible for many of the current practice’s patients, who live over a wide geographical area.

“When looking at the provision of primary care services it is also important to take the influx of visitors to Eryri throughout the year into consideration. It is therefore vital that BCUHB does all that it can recruit a new contractor to at least ensure that at least the same level of provision is maintained.

RELATED STORIES

“I am relieved to hear that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has received responses to its tender seeking new GMS Contractors to take on the GP as well as the medicine dispensing service in Betws y Coed."

Mr Gruffydd added: “I understand that the health board will undertake an initial review of the tender responses shortly and that a shortlisting panel will then formally review and determine which contractors will be invited for interview. 

“This is a positive development and I hope that the health board will be able to move forward quickly and let the contract to a new partnership.

“I hope to see firm plans put in place soon to ensure the continuity of services that this community needs and deserves.”