Council to discuss issues at Tredegar and Brynmawr GP surgeries after handover from eHarley Street to Aneurin Bevan Health Board.
A company called eHarley Street was managing them. They are based in England. Recently, they gave those offices back. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board now controls them. Brynmawr and Tredegar practices are included.
Last autumn, people criticized the company. Patients, doctors, and politicians voiced concerns. The criticism followed issues at the eHarley Street practices. Council members wanted to talk with health leaders. This occurred at a November council meeting.
People struggled to book appointments, and staff members went unpaid. The motion highlights these problems. It says eHarley Street failed patients and staff. Unpaid taxes hurt local healthcare, too.
Blaenau Gwent is proud of the NHS birth. Aneurin Bevan founded it there. Medical care should be for everyone. It should be based on need, not wealth. The area has some of the UK’s worst health issues. Life expectancy is below the Welsh average. Many there deal with chronic conditions.
Primary care helps keep people healthy. It offers early medical help, too. The motion makes four key points. First, they welcome the partnership resignation. This covers all Blaenau Gwent surgeries.
Second, questions surround the contract awards. Concerns were raised by patients, staff, and politicians. They want answers. Third, the motion wants an independent inquiry. This investigates the events and issues. Last, they want a GP contract review. They urge Health Minister Jeremy Miles to act.
Councilor Helen Cunningham supports the motion. Several Labour councilors also back it. Councillors Baldwin, Behr, and Gardner all agree. Smith, Thomas, and Winnett support it too.
Wayne Hodgins, from the Independent group, also backs it. Councillors Hill and Parsons support it. Another Independent councillor agrees, George Humphreys. They all want answers.