PATIENTS are "disgusted" at plans to withdraw branch surgeries from a clinic in one of Gwent's most deprived areas.

Two GP practices - Pontnewynydd Clinic in Mill Road, Pontnewynydd, and New Surgery in Old Road, Abersychan - have applied to Gwent Health Authority to withdraw their surgeries from Trevethin health centre in Folly Road, Pontypool.

The plan is to move patients to the Abersychan practice and replace the facilities in Trevethin with a nurse practitioner and a nursing assistant.

But angry community councillor Ann Beck, secretary of the residents' association and a patient at the clinic, said: "We're all disgusted. What they don't realise is it's not just Trevethin that will be affected, but also Penygarn and St Cadoc's. It would cost around £3 each way on two buses to get to Abersychan, just to pick up a prescription.

"It's not as though people aren't using the clinic - it's packed on Monday and Thursday. This is one of the most deprived estates in Torfaen and the people this will hit hardest are the elderly, disabled and the very young."

Norman Mills, practice manager at the Abersychan surgery, explained in a letter to Mrs Beck that an independent medical adviser from Gwent Health Authority, found the clinic did not meet the standards required for general medical services.

He added: "Due to the restrictions of the building and the ability to only offer summary services, together with the inability to respond properly in emergencies that might present themselves, it is strongly felt that more appropriate use could be made of the staff at Trevethin.

"A more comprehensive service could be offered at Abersychan."

A spokesman for health watchdog Gwent Community Health Council said there would be consultation with patients, who would be shown a summary of the reasons behind the GPs' application and encouraged to comment.

He added: "We need to make sure the patient's voice is heard and heeded by Gwent Health Authority in coming to a decision. Trevethin is an area of high health need and we would need to be satisfied that patients weren't being disadvantaged by these proposals."

A spokeswoman for the National Assembly said: "It has been successful in obtaining some of the £200,000 available as part of the Health Inequality funding to target coronary heart disease and that money will be available shortly."

A public meeting to discuss the plan will take place at 7pm on September 12 at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllw in Trevethin.