Machynlleth’s mayor has said she has concerns over how patients will access services now a health group has been given the go-ahead to close its Cemmaes Road surgery.

Powys Health Board has approved a plan by Dyfi Valley Health to concentrate its services at Machynlleth Surgery, after the group said staffing issues meant it was unable to continue to provide services at two surgeries.

The health board has announced it is introducing trial measures to help patients in the Cemmaes Road area, with a prescription collection service that will see patients able to pick up prescriptions in Cemmaes Road.

They are also giving funding to community group CAMAD to assist with transport for patients outside of Machynlleth to get into the town.

But mayor Monica Atkins said as both trial schemes were only short-term measures, there may still be problems in the future.

The prescription collection service will run from 6 August to 31 October, while the funding for CAMAD will be for six months, until 31 January.

Cllr Atkins said: “The word ‘trial’ I don’t like. What I’m afraid of is if it ends and doesn’t continue, how will that affect patients?"

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