2,000 signatures for Newtown Shropdoc campaign

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition to get out-of-hours medical care in Newtown.

The petition will be handed over to health officials on March 23.

Councillor Joy Jones, Newtown mayor, started the petition as she said many residents were fed up with having to travel 16 miles to Welshpool to see a doctor out-of-hours. A Facebook group has also started.

She said campaigners wanted the Shropdoc service to be permanently based in the town.

"It is not right that the people of Newtown have only limited cover from the out-of-hours service. We have to travel to Welshpool to see the doctor in the evenings, weekends or bank holidays," she said.

"The minor injury unit in Newtown does an excellent job in the day, but parking is a major problem.

"We are still accepting signatures for the petition, which is available from the town's market hall.

"Elderly people, parents with sick children or anyone who feels unwell find it hard to travel long distances for treatment. We are the largest town in Powys, we deserve 24-hour medical cover."

Comments have been flooding in to the Facebook group, including one from Tanya Marie Brady, from Newtown, who said: "I cut my finger really badly the other week had to go to Shrewsbury yet I only needed a few stitches."

Councillor Jones said petition forms were still available online at www.ipetitions.com/petition/new town or by calling her on (01686) 623201.

"Powys Local Health Board and Shropdoc have agreed to meet with me next Wednesday," she added.