THOUSANDS of patients can breath a sigh of relief as a new GP is appointed on the Ll?n Peninsula amidst a recruitment crisis.

A last-minute replacement has been found for a retiring doctor in Pwllheli, allowing the surgery to maintain its current standard of service.

Earlier this year, Treflan Surgery in Pwllheli issued its 7,500 patients with letters telling them of the impending retirement of one of its senior partners, Dr Robyns-Owen, at the end of this month.

In order to cope with demand, the surgery was forced to limit pre-bookable appointments and home visits and warned patients that it would be increasingly difficult to see a doctor.

The news came after the retirement of Dr Robyns-Owen who has served the area for many years.

However, a welcome reprieve for concerned patients came in the form of a new doctor.

Tracey Banks, practice manager at Treflan Surgery, said: “Since writing that letter we have successfully managed to recruit a new partner.

“Dr Remi Domagala will be joining the practice partnership on 1 September 2018.

“This is excellent for the practice and its 7,500 patients and will allow us to go back to offering more GP appointments – routine and same day and to keep the independent contractor status which we have worked hard to do.

“There remains however a severe shortage of doctors within the Dwyfor area and we are looking to the local health board to introduce services that will help sustain General Practice in the area.”

The concerns about staff recruitment were shared by the local health board, Betsi Cadwaladr.

Mark Walker, the health board’s deputy medical director, said: “We’d like to thank Dr Robyns-Owen for his hard work and dedication to Treflan Surgery and wish him all the best for his retirement."

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