Politicians Welcome Health Board’s Ruling

Wrexham’s MP and Assembly Member have welcomed a decision which should ensure a GPs’ surgery remains in Gresford.

There were fears Gresford Health Centre would close when Alyn Family Doctors, who run the practice, announced in April that they planned to transfer services based there to their other surgeries in Llay and Rossett.

However, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) has rejected the proposal.

The news has been welcomed by those who have campaigned to keep a surgery in Gresford – though Alyn Family Doctors have indicated their intention to appeal the decision.

Lesley Griffiths AM and Ian Lucas MP have been in close contact with constituents concerned by the possible closure and will continue to liaise with all parties. Earlier this year, they wrote to the health board and also held meetings with BCUHB officials where they made it clear that Gresford needed its own surgery.

Ms Griffiths, Assembly Member for Wrexham, said: “Gresford is a popular and expanding area of Wrexham and, as a result, both Ian Lucas MP and I firmly believed a GP service should remain in the village.

“After contacting local residents and the Welsh Government and meeting with Alyn Family Doctors and the health board, I am grateful for their positive dialogue and believe this outcome will be welcomed by the community.

“Moving forward, it is important local residents from Gresford and across Wrexham receive the best possible services and I will continue to work with relevant partners to help ensure this happens.”

Mr Lucas, MP for Wrexham, added: “Both myself and Lesley Griffiths made it clear that we could not countenance a situation where a GPs’ surgery closed in such an important part of Wrexham. The Gresford community was united on this and I think we made a strong case to the health board.

“I am pleased that, through positive dialogue with the health board, this outcome has been reached. However, this is a difficult and complex process and there is still work to be done. Both Lesley Griffiths and myself will continue to liaise with all relevant parties on this matter.”

BCUHB’s decision not to accept Alyn Family Doctors’ proposal to close the Gresford Health Centre was confirmed in a letter sent to Ms Griffiths this week by the health board’s chief executive, Gary Doherty.