Calls for investigation into Pontypool Medical Practice
A statement from the practice hit back, saying that "a campaign of political witch hunt and interference" had taken place with "little regard for the real-world impact on patients or the workforce".
Pontypool Medical Centre, which uses the services of a GP management company named eHarley Street, has multiple one-star reviews on Google. The practise has been the topic of controversy in the local community for some time.
Back in February a total of five of the nine Welsh practices which used eHarley Street's services were handed back to the local health board. Now there are calls for an investigation to be conducted by the Auditor-General for Wales.
Pontypool Medical Centre a practise that has been criticised by patients (Image: Google Maps)Torfaen MP and MS Nick Thomas-Symonds and Lynne Neagle said in a joint statement: 'Many constituents have contacted us, as local MP and local MS, with concerns about Pontypool Medical Practice.
"In recent months, we have held 10 meetings with the senior leadership at the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.
'In the circumstances, we have – jointly – written to the Auditor-General for Wales to ask that an investigation now take place into the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board's engagement of eHarley Street and subsequent management of the contracts, focussing on Pontypool Medical Practice.
'This is not a step we have taken lightly, and we will, in the interests of our constituents, also continue our dialogue with the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.'
A spokesperson for Aneurin Bevan University said: 'The Health Board is closely monitoring the GP partnership as part of its escalation framework where the practice remains in enhanced monitoring to ensure it meets the requirements of the contract to deliver good quality and accessible primary care services.
'Governance and assurance visits have not identified any immediate patient safety concerns and there has been recent progress with recruitment to advanced nurse practitioner posts and GPs for the practice.
'The health board is in regular dialogue with the partnership [which runs the practice] in terms of seeking assurance in terms of future sustainability and plans for further improvements to recruitment and access.'
Sarah Mayers from Trevethin has terminal synovial sarcoma cancer she has issued a complaint against the Medical Centre (Sarah undergoing chemotherapy) (Image: Sarah Mayers) Sarah Mayers, 52, from Trevethin has terminal synovial sarcoma cancer and was recently given just one year to live.
She is in the process of putting in a complaint against Pontypool Medical Centre and says the medical centre should have spotted her symptoms earlier.
Synovial sarcoma is an aggressive cancer that typically develops in the soft tissues near joints and tendons, particularly in the arms and legs.
Speaking about her experience, Sarah said: 'It wasn't a very good experience. I'm not saying I could have been cured but it could have been picked up sooner.
'I think it's disgusting. If you think there's something wrong, if you need to push for the doctors to do something.'
Sarah Mayers from Trevethin has terminal synovial sarcoma cancer she has issued a complaint against the Medical Centre (Sarah next to her van raising awareness for sarcoma) (Image: Sarah Mayers) Sarah first visited the doctors back in March 2024 after experiencing numbness in her shoulder.
She was told she would need an X-ray and was referred to a physiotherapist.
But in May she fell over the family dog and believed she had broken a rib. This resulted in breathing difficulties and another visit to the doctors in June.
It was only after this, in October, that her illness was diagnosed. Since then, Sarah has undergone extensive chemotherapy treatments, but her prognosis remains the same.
Sarah add: 'Trying to get an appointment at the surgery you just can't. You phone up and you're on the line for thirty minutes you just can't get a hold of a doctor anymore.'
Pontypool Medical Practice declined to comment on Sarah's case when previously contacted by the Argus.
A statement issued by lawyers acting for the partnership that runs Pontypool Medical Centre said: 'We are instructed to express our clients' profound concern over the ongoing conduct of Lynne Neagle MS and Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, whose latest coordinated public statement represents the latest chapter in what our clients consider to be a prolonged, politically driven campaign that has spanned nearly a year.
'Despite multiple independent assurance visits by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board confirming that no patient safety issues exist, the practice has been subject to repeated and escalating public criticism by the MS and MP. This is despite the fact that neither has accepted repeated offers to meet directly with the Partnership leadership to understand the operational and clinical context first-hand.
'Our clients have advised that the resulting environment has been toxic: frontline staff have been harassed online, morale has been severely affected, and the reputation of the practice has been severely damaged - not by any clinical failure, but by a campaign of political witch hunt and interference that has shown little regard for the real-world impact on patients or the workforce.
'Our clients have confirmed that they operate a modern and lawful provider model, which has become increasingly necessary given the collapse in traditional GP partnerships across the UK. That this model has been singled out so aggressively - despite being used successfully in many parts of Wales and England - raises serious concerns. Our clients cannot ignore the growing perception that they are being targeted, in part, because they are an English-led provider seeking to bring innovation and resilience to Welsh general practice.
'For the avoidance of doubt, our clients make no direct accusations. But the pattern, tone, and timing of these political statements cannot be overlooked - especially in a pre-election year.
'It is for the public to ask whether this high-profile pressure campaign is truly about patient welfare, or whether it conveniently aligns with broader political motives.
'Our clients are committed NHS professionals. They are proud to serve the Pontypool community, and they will not be deterred by politically charged narratives that seek to undo progress for the sake of electioneering or point-scoring.
'Should this conduct continue, our clients reserve the right to take further legal steps to protect their workforce, their reputation, and the integrity of the services they provide.'
Nick Thomas-Symonds MP and Lynne Neagle MS wrote back: 'We make no apology whatsoever, as democratically-elected representatives, for doing our jobs in standing up for our constituents who have - repeatedly - come to us raising issues of concern.
'Ten meetings with the senior leadership of the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board did not resolve the matter.
'As we said in our public statement, this is in no sense a criticism of the staff at Pontypool Medical Centre who we know are working with great dedication.
'We await hearing from the Auditor-General for Wales in due course.'
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