A GWENT pensioner is leading a campaign to stop nearly 3,000 patients from losing their local GP surgery at the end of next month

As reported in the Argus, residents in Pontnewynydd were told that their GP is due to retire on May 31 and health chiefs have been unable to guarantee a replacement.

Now Tom Gould is leading the fight to keep the Mill Road surgery running.

The 79-year-old drafted a petition which has been signed by 1,200 residents, and yesterday he handed it to Torfaen Local Health Board.

The board met patient groups and councillors last week to discuss the future of the surgery - currently run single-handedly by Dr Shirish Patel, who retires next month.

It's understood that the surgery has around 2,800 patients on its books, from Pontnewynydd, Trevethin, Pentwyn and surrounding areas.

Mr Gould, of Machine Meadow said: "I told the health board I thought patients were supposed to be the priority of the health service.

"Feelings are running high because there are a lot of older people and disabled people who struggle to make it to the surgery now - what chance have they got if they have to be dispersed to other surgeries in Pontypool and Abersychan?"

Doctor Marysia Hamilton-Kirkwood, the health board's medical director, told the Argus she had been keeping patients informed and said a meeting with councillors and patient groups had been "very productive."

Dr Hamilton-Kirkwood said she could not discuss what options for the future of the surgery had so far been discussed.

She added:"We completely understand the sensitivity and anxiety of the situation.

"We are committed to continuing some sort of GP service for that population."

Torfaen's deputy leader Councillor Lewis Jones said he believed the board was considering dispersing patients elsewhere if they were unable to attract another GP to run the practice.