Petition rallies to save New Quay surgery as future hangs in balance
A Change.org petition has gathered over 540 signatures as residents and a county councillor urge Hywel Dda to secure a long‑term provider for New Quay surgery.
Nearly 600 locals have signed a petition demanding that New Quay surgery remain open, as the future of the Ceredigion health‑care hub hangs in the balance.
Hywel Dda University Health Board issued a statement last week after the practice’s General Medical Services contract was resigned by the GP partners, leaving the long‑term provision of services uncertain.
Patients will continue to receive routine GP care until 31 March 2027, while the board evaluates options for a sustainable provider.
County councillor Matthew Vaux warned that losing the surgery would deal a “huge impact” to the community.
Vaux added that he welcomes the board’s move to seek a new service provider, urging a “sustainable local service” to be secured.
He pledged to work closely with the health board and to encourage residents to voice their concerns at every opportunity.
The campaign was sparked by a Change.org petition launched by local resident Rhydian Jones, which has already attracted 546 signatures.
The petition stresses that New Quay surgery has been “at the heart of our community” for generations, caring for families, the elderly and vulnerable.
It warns that closure could force patients to travel significantly longer distances to reach the nearest GP or nurse.
Local business owners fear the loss of up to 20 jobs and a potential knock‑on effect on the town’s pharmacy.
“If we lose our surgery, what will it mean for you and your family?” the petition asks, urging the community to act before the board’s final decision.
Community activists have scheduled a public meeting at the town’s memorial hall on 13 October at 6.30 pm to discuss the issue.
Organisers plan to run a Facebook campaign to rally support and will also circulate a paper petition to hand to Hywel Dda.
They argue that a united community voice could influence the board’s deliberations before the March 2027 deadline.
Health board officials have confirmed that no definitive decision has been made regarding the surgery’s future.
They say they are actively working to identify a long‑term provider that can maintain services for New Quay and surrounding villages.
In the meantime, the practice will continue to operate under its current arrangements, offering appointments and routine care.
Local residents, many of whom rely on the surgery due to limited public transport, have expressed anxiety over the prospect of longer travel times.
“The surgery is a lifeline for those who cannot easily get to larger towns,” said one patient, who asked to remain anonymous.
Transport challenges are especially acute for the elderly and those with mobility issues, who would face journeys of up to an hour to the nearest alternative surgery.
Business owners fear that the loss of the surgery could also diminish footfall for nearby shops, further straining the town’s economy.
The petition’s organisers stress that the surgery’s role extends beyond healthcare, acting as a social hub where residents meet and share information.
They hope the upcoming public meeting will galvanise a broader coalition of support, including neighbouring villages that also rely on the service.
Hywel Dda has indicated that any new provider will need to meet the same standards of care and accessibility that the community expects.
Stakeholders are awaiting the board’s next update, which is expected to outline potential partnership models and funding arrangements.
With the March 2027 deadline looming, the petition’s momentum underscores the community’s determination to keep local GP services within reach.
As the debate unfolds, New Quay residents remain hopeful that their collective voice will secure a lasting solution for the town’s surgery.