A surgery in Wrexham will no longer have GP services, the practice has confirmed.
Alyn Family Doctors, which also operates surgeries in Llay and Rossett, announced that they have permanently moved its GP services away from their current Gresford site.
The surgery applied to the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board for the move in late 2021, and it has now been agreed.
GP services will continue in Llay and Rossett, while the Gresford site will be used for nursing services, as it has done since 2020.
In a post on social media, Alyn Family Doctors said: "This formalises a situation which has been in place since March 2020, when the GP surgery was initially closed as part of the measures to ensure the safety of premises during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since that time, the building has been used exclusively by Community Nursing services.
"The evidence provided by the practice has demonstrated the increased efficiency of working from two sites rather than spread across three locations. In particular, the number of appointments we have been able to offer has increased by 25%, helping ensure that our patients do not face extended waits to be seen."
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Extra services have been added, due to the increase in appointments and the practice described patient feedback in a recent survey as 'excellent'.
The statement added: "Full consideration was given by the panel to the range of views that were put forward during the period of engagement with patients; whilst it is recognised that some will be unhappy with the decision, this had to be balanced against the speed with which patients can be offered appointments and the benefits of additional services which are now being delivered in Gresford.
"We look forward to continuing to provide the best health care we can to our communities and thank our patients for their continuing support."
Wrexham's MP Sarah Atherton said: “I was really disappointed with the decision by the Welsh Government-run Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to close the Alyn Family Doctors’ Gresford branch.
"Alongside the Community Council, I have been working extremely hard to avoid this happening. Most worryingly, the casework that my office has received does not tally with what BCUHB is saying about patient satisfaction. Given the pressure on primary care and the difficulty in accessing a doctor’s appointment, the last thing that BCUHB should be doing is closing GP surgeries."
Ms Atherton has encouraged residents with concerns to contact her via her website.
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