A POPULAR locum GP whose departure from a practice in the Valleys provoked a wave of protest among patients has launched a stinging attack on health bosses.

Speaking for the first time, Abertillery locum Dr George Skea, pictured, says he believes he has no choice but to leave the Valleys after almost ten years of living there.

More than 50 patients of Dr Skea hit the headlines in June when they held a street protest calling upon the Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board to keep him on following the end of his six-month contract at the Bridge Health Centre.

Around 1,000 people also signed a petition in an attempt to persuade the local health board to retain Dr Skea.

But the LHB made alternative arrangements for locum cover at the surgery.

Dr Skea said LHB bosses had not explained their decision and added: "In 20 years of working in the medical profession I have never been treated with such disdain and complete disregard.

"Is it any wonder why they are having trouble recruiting GPs in the Valleys when they treat you like this?

"I told the local health board I wanted to stay and I would have taken a pay-cut to do so.

"I also told them I would bring in a friend from outside the area to help run neighbouring practices where GPs have retired, but the proposal was turned down.

"I don't want to leave - it's a matter of trust. There is no way I can spend ten to 15 years of my working life looking over my shoulder looking for the knife."

A spokesperson from Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board said: "It is obviously not appropriate for Blaenau Gwent LHB to comment on individuals' employment.

"Blaenau Gwent LHB, in partnership with Caerphilly LHB, has established the Heads Of The Valleys project to bring more GPs into the area. This is already proving successful."