PATIENTS of the former St Martins Surgery have received written confirmation that the branch is now closed and all records have been transferred to Chirk.

The decision has been taken by Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board after bosses of Chirk Surgery wrote to them asking for a permanent closure of the surgery.

St Martins had been closed on a temporary basis because of the Covid-19 pandemic but now patients from the village, and also from surrounding villages such as Gobowen and Whittington, will have to travel to Chirk to be treated.

The letter said: "Regarding transfer of GP services from St Martins Surgery to Chirk Surgery, Castle Health Centre, Chirk.

"At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the practice temporarily closed its branch surgery in St Martins.

"In spring 2021, Chirk Surgery submitted an application to Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board's Primary Care Panel to permanently close this branch site.

"Having considered the information provided by the practice, the concerns raised by patients and other stakeholders and the practice's response to those concerns, the panel agreed to support and approve the permanent closure of St Martins.

"Chirk Surgery will continue to deliver all services from the main surgery site in Chirk."

The confirmation comes after a campaign to keep the surgery open for patients in the villages, which had the support of North Shropshire MP helen Morgan and Shropshire councillor for St Martins, Steve Davenport.