Health Board to seek public views on proposed closure of Meddygfa Penrhyn branch surgery in St Davids

Hywel Dda University Health Board will engage with registered patients on the potential impact of a proposed closure of the Meddygfa Penrhyn branch surgery at Shalom House in St Davids.

In February 2026, following concerns relating to staffing challenges and the long-term sustainability of branch surgery services, the practice team at Meddygfa Penrhyn submitted an application to the Health Board requesting consideration of the closure of its nurse-led branch in St Davids.

The application was submitted in line with the Health Board’s agreed branch surgery closure process. The Health Board is now in the process of agreeing an engagement plan with Llais and the Local Medical Committee (LMC) before seeking the views of patients, staff and other stakeholders.

More recently, the Health Board has also been informed by the trustees of Shalom House that they intend to auction the premises currently used by the branch surgery. As a result, the site will no longer be available from the end of September 2026. 

The nurse-led branch surgery at Shalom House was established in November 2024 and operates weekday mornings, providing mostly blood tests and wound care.  All GP services are provided at Meddygfa Penrhyn, three-and-a-half miles away.

While this may lead to a temporary closure of the premises while engagement activities are undertaken and future arrangements are considered, the Health Board wishes to reassure the community that the availability of Shalom House does not determine the outcome of the branch surgery closure application.

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: "We recognise that local GP services are extremely important to our communities. We understand that residents may have questions about what recent developments mean for the future of the branch surgery.

“Our focus is on working hand-in-hand with our community to explore how we can ensure local health provision that keeps people well. We are keen to work with local stakeholders, including the Penrhyn Peninsula Working Group, to enable us to have a broader conversation about the future of our branch surgery and how it serves everyone in the area.

“We recognise the need to follow a clear process, but we’re committed to expanding that to include as many voices as possible, guiding our future direction in line with our ambition of ‘Community by Design’ as outlined in our Healthier Mid and West Wales strategy.

"At this stage, no decision has been made regarding the closure application. We are committed to engaging with patients, residents and stakeholders to understand the potential impact of the proposal and to ensure that all views are considered as part of the decision-making process.

"Although we have been advised that Shalom House will no longer be available from the end of September, this does not predetermine the outcome of the branch surgery closure application. The engagement process remains a vital part of the Health Board's agreed procedure."

Any decision regarding the future of the nurse-led branch surgery will be made through the established branch surgery closure process, taking into account feedback received during the engagement period, evidence of local need, and the impact on patients.

Details of the engagement process, including how local people can share their views, will be shared in due course.