TWO Gwent councillors are warning against the possible loss of a "vital" GP surgery in their community.

Torfaen councillors Ivor Davies and Joyce Gregory spoke out after an announcement that Pontnewynydd GP Dr Shirish Patel will retire from the end of May.

Dr Patel single-handedly runs the Mill Road practice, the only surgery serving the community.

A statement by Torfaen Local Health Board (LHB) said finding a replacement GP is a top priority: "In the meantime, it is important to us that patients at the existing surgery are reassured they will not be left without GP services."

But Councillor Gregory fears local people will ultimately lose out if the board fails to attract a replacement: "This is virtually the only facility we have left in Pontnewynydd. It is vital for the people of Pontnewy-nydd. We have a significant number of older people who don't have cars and they cannot be expected to travel to see a doctor."

Councillor Davies said: "We are extremely concerned, and will most certainly be opposed to any closure of the surgery.

"We are fed up with the loss of facilities in Pontnewynydd. "There used to be two hospitals in this area, as well as another surgery on St Luke's Road.

"We know the local health board is trying to ensure we get cover, we need it, because services are becoming more spread out. The LHB has got to pull its finger out and get someone in here."

GP recruitment, particularly in Valleys areas, is a major worry for LHBs, which have had to take over the running of several surgeries because they have been unable to find replacements. It is a particularly acute problem in Blaenau Gwent.

Responsibility for finding another GP falls to Torfaen LHB, which will advertise the practice as a going concern, but if it fails to attract another GP the alternative will be to distribute patients between Abersychan and Pontypool practices.

Gwent Community Health Council, the patients' watchdog, is involved in talks with the LHB.

"We believe it is vital a way is found for patients of this practice to continue to receive local accessibility to GP services," said a spokesman.