THE future of a busy GP surgery in Neyland will be decided at the end of this month.

Argyle Medical Group has applied to close St Clement's Surgery, which has more than 2,300 patients on its books.

Falling GP numbers, difficulties with recruiting and increasing pressures on staff were said to be behind the decision.

If the surgery does close, patients would have to travel over the Cleddau Bridge to Argyle Street in Pembroke Dock.

The Health Board held a public engagement event in Neyland last month which was attended by more than 100 people.

That followed a previous public meeting when more than 250 people turned up to passionately call for the surgery to remain open.

Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: "The feedback received at this event, as well as from letters and phone calls, on the potential impact of the proposed closure, has been considered in detail by the Health Board and the Community Health Council.

"Further information has also been received from Argyle Medical Group regarding their daily workload pressures that effect the GPs and wider team. Additionally the Health Board have consider the correspondence from the public to the Community Health Council.

"The Primary Care Applications Committee of the Health Board met on the 27th March and considered all the information received to date and heard feedback from the Patient Participation Group and the Partners of the Practice. It was agreed that more time was needed to explore the potential for an alternative plan that could secure general medical services for the population of the Neyland area locally.

"A further meeting has therefore been scheduled at the end of April at which a decision will be made regarding the future of St. Clement’s Surgery."

The practice remains open to patients as normal and the Health Board would encourage patients to stay registered with their current practice.