A free drop-in event will be held next week for patients concerned for the future of the St Clement's Surgery in Neyland.

Argyle Medical Group has applied to close the busy surgery, citing pressure on falling numbers of staff.

Hywel Dda University Health board will make the final decision on any closure.

The Health Board is working alongside the Community Health Council (CHC) to engage with the local community and a public engagement drop-in session has been organised to which all patients are invited to attend on Tuesday 13th March from 2-7pm at Neyland Athletic Club.

A Health Board spokesman, said: "We would like to take this opportunity to assure all patients that no decision has been made by the Health Board at this point, and as a part of the detailed process which must be followed in such circumstances, the Health Board is keen to understand the viewpoint of patients before the application can be considered."

If you feel that the closure may impact on you or your family, you can share your views with the Health Board.

Write to Locality Development Manager – Primary Care, Lucie-Jane Whelan, Withybush General Hospital, Fishguard Road, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA61 2PZ, telephone 01437 764 545 or E-mail lucie-jane.whelan@wales.nhs.uk

Or if you would prefer, please contact the Community Health Council (the independent patient voice body in the Hywel Dda area).

You can write to; Mrs Helen Williams, Suite 5, 1st Floor, Ty Myrddin, Carmarthen, SA31 1BT or E-mail: hyweldda@waleschc.org.uk

Both organisations will log and record patients views which, once anonymised, will be considered and fed into the decision making process.

Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care, Community and Long Term Care says “The Health Board will not be in a position to make a determination on the proposal from Argyle Medical Group before the end of March 2018. Once a decision has been made, the outcome will be shared with the local Community.

"In the meantime, the Practice has provided assurance that St. Clement’s Surgery will remain open as normal and we ask therefore that patients continue to access services through St. Clement’s Surgery in the usual way.”