Board to consider feedback and next steps for Meddygfa'r Sarn
22 May 2026
Hywel Dda University Health Board will consider a report on the future provision of GP services for patients registered at Meddygfa’r Sarn at its Public Board meeting on Thursday, 28 May 2026.
The report summarises feedback received during an eight-week public engagement period, which took place between 9 February and 6 April 2026, and will support Board members in making a decision on the way forward.
The engagement period followed the Board’s decision in January (opens in new tab) to seek views from patients, staff and stakeholders before making a decision regarding proposed changes to GP services for patients of Meddygfa’r Sarn, located in Pontyates.
Meddygfa’r Sarn has been managed by the health board since 2017 and serves a population of approximately 4,350 patients. In recent years, the practice has faced ongoing challenges, including difficulties in recruiting permanent GPs and limitations related to the building.
In October 2025, in line with national guidance, the health board convened a Vacant Practice Panel to review options for the long-term provision of GP services in the area.
The Panel concluded that managed dispersal offered the most sustainable long-term solution for patients and for primary care services in the Amman Gwendraeth area.
During the engagement period, patients and the wider community were invited to share their views in a number of ways, including questionnaires sent to registered patients and attendance at three public events.
The feedback gathered has provided valuable insight into the potential impacts of the proposal to disperse patients to nearby practices, as well as what matters most to people in the delivery of local primary care services.
In addition to the feedback received, further information has come to light during this period. This includes a small number of informal expressions of interest from individuals enquiring about the possibility of taking on the GMS contract. Although this interest has been expressed informally, it provides a clearer understanding of the situation than was previously known.
At the meeting on 28 May, Board Members will be asked to consider the findings from the engagement period alongside potential options for the future, including testing the feasibility of securing an independent contractor to deliver GP services at Meddygfa’r Sarn.
Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said:
“We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views during the engagement period. We know how important local GP services are to the people of Pontyates and the surrounding communities.
“The feedback received has provided valuable insight into people’s experiences, concerns and priorities. This, together with the additional information received, will be carefully considered by the Board as it makes its decision on the future provision of GP services in the area.”
For more information, the Board paper is available to read here (opens in new tab).
The Board meeting will be broadcast live from 9.30am on Thursday, 28 May 2026, at www.youtube.com/HywelDdaHealthBoard1 (opens in new tab).