Entire Welsh village meets to march in protest against their local GP surgery being moved to rival village
- Around 100 locals marched with banners from Pentyrch to Rhydlarfar today
- Health board plans to move GP near a lane with no pavements, lighting or bus
- Read: GP will see you now but only if you go private! Thousands are ditching NHS
An entire Welsh village met up to protest against their local GP surgery being moved to a rival village.
Around 100 people carrying banners could be seen marching from Pentyrch to Rhydlarfar to show how impractical the journey would be.
Cardiff and Vale University Health board intends to move Pentyrch Surgery to a settlement just off Llantrisant Road in Rhydlafar, according to WalesOnline.
The site is attached to Pentyrch by a busy main road or Church Road, a narrow country lane without pavements, lighting or a bus stop.
More than 1,600 locals have so far signed a petition against the relocation – arguing the health board did not adequately consult them on the plans.
An entire Welsh village met up to protest against their local GP surgery being moved to a rival village
Around 100 people carrying banners could be seen marching from Pentyrch to Rhydlarfar to show how impractical the journey would be. Pictured: A protester at the march
Mike Colley, who organised the march, said: ‘Rhydlafar is a village two miles away and inaccessible to all reliant on public transport to access basic health care services.
‘The closure of the surgery will lead to the closure of Pentyrch Pharmacy so doubling the damage to even more residents of Pentyrch and surrounding villages.’
Mr Colley, from campaign group Pentyrch Save Our Surgery and Pharmacy, added that the ‘continued abuse of the funding criteria for a new Pentyrch Surgery’, and ‘the arrogance of the health board’ has caused the next stage of action.
Councillor Andrea Gibson for Cardiff Council said: ‘As councillors we are not satisfied with answers we have got from the health board. Our job now is to push things forward for you.’
More than 1,600 locals have so far signed a petition against the relocation – arguing the health board did not adequately consult them on the plans
Councillor Andrea Gibson for Cardiff Council posted on Twitter: ‘Excellent turn out for Save our Surgery protest’
Eileen Boddington, 80, worked out it would take her around two hours to walk there and back up a steep hill to the surgery, saying: ‘It’s a complete farce. There is no bus service and only one taxi.
‘The only other way is to drive, but what about people who don’t have cars?’
Electrician Peter Brown claimed the access off Llantrisant Road was also dangerous at a busy junction, adding that putting a GP surgery on the site was ‘a death waiting to happen’.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said it had fulfilled all legal obligations to consult.
Cardiff and Vale University Health board intends to move Pentyrch Surgery to a settlement just off Llantrisant Road in Rhydlafar. Pictured: The area around Pentyrch Surgery
The site is attached to Pentyrch by a busy main road or Church Road (top right), a narrow country lane without pavements, lighting or a bus stop
Mike Colley, who organised the march, said: ‘The closure of the surgery will lead to the closure of Pentyrch Pharmacy so doubling the damage to even more residents of Pentyrch and surrounding villages’
A spokesperson said: There has been a robust and thorough engagement process undertaken that was completed last year in relation to the relocation of Pentyrch Surgery. The health board has complied with the legislative requirements for engagement, and this has been independently reviewed and agreed at Ministerial level.
‘It is important to emphasise that during the engagement process the views of the Pentyrch Save our Surgery and Pharmacy Group were heard, but there was significant support from the residents of Pentyrch and Rhydlafar who welcomed a brand-new, clinical environment that provides access to enhanced clinical, primary care and community facilitates 2 miles from the current premises.’
MailOnline contacted Cardiff and Vale University Health Board for comment.
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