THE future of a branch GP surgery in Gwent appears doomed despite widespread public opposition to closure.

Bro Taf health authority board is today being asked to approve the closure of the Castleton branch surgery of Dr R P Edwards and Partners, leaving around 1,700 patients having to go outside Gwent for treatment.

The closure recommendation comes six months after Gwent Community Health Council, the independent health watchdog, urged Bro Taf to block closure moves and work with Gwent Health Authority to plan an appropriate service for Castleton area patients.

"The CHC submitted its report and recommendations to Bro Taf in May. We have to conclude the last six months have been a wasted opportunity," said chief officer Peter Johns.

The doctors want to close the surgery because they believe the venue - a demountable building behind Castleton village hall - is beyond repair and not well attended. They say they can offer only a limited service there, but a permanent facility is not feasible.

Patients mounted a vigorous campaign of opposition to closure.

Lack of a direct bus route to the GPs' main St Mellons surgery and 'excessive' waits for appointments there were the main reasons for wanting to keep the branch surgery open.

It is in Gwent, but the main surgery is in the Bro Taf area, so the latter health authority has the final say.

Only last week, Gwent CHC urged Bro Taf to decide the issue, calling the delay since public consultation unfair on patients and GPs. Now it wants alternative proposals for a family doctor service to be drawn up.

"Castleton branch surgery was established less than five years ago in the expectation there was a local need to be served," said Mr Johns.

"We cannot accept that in what is clearly an expanding area, there are not increasing demands for GP services."

CHC strategy and commissioning officer Cathy O'Sullivan said it was important patients were not disadvantaged by closure and urged Gwent Health Authority to act.