TORFAEN Local Health Board says it wants to allay the public's fears that Abersychan is to lose its surgery following the announcement of a multi-million pound shake up of GP and primary care services in the area.

The health board and Torfaen Local Authority commissioned a study into the health, social care and housing needs of people in Blaenavon and Abersychan to determine future needs for services. Rumours of the forthcoming closure of the surgery have been circulating since proposals were put forward to provide an all-encompassing health and social care resource centre.

The centre will provide traditional GP and primary care services alongside those usually based in hospitals.

Nigel Stephens, finance director for Torfaen LHB, said: "We have been looking at how we will be developing health and social care services in the borough.

"Northern Torfaen was identified as highest priority and we have recognised for some time that the Abersychan surgery has a lack of capacity for dealing with the practice size."

Mr Stephens added: "We are looking at the replacement of the current premises with a centre that will meet the needs of health care in the 21st century. We need to make sure whatever practice partnerships looking to be replaced are done so in line with the detailed health requirements of the practice population."

Carregwen Surgery, in Church Street, Blaenavon, was also identified as needing urgent redevelopment and has been earmarked for replacement by a health and social care resource centre.

A public meeting is being held at Blaenavon Workmen's Hall on Monday, March 27, at 6.30pm to discuss the plans and gauge the public's opinions.