Concerned patients at a surgery in Hanmer are urging health officials to upgrade the premises after a meeting to hear about the campaign for improved facilities.

Hanmer Surgery Patient Action Group has told The Herald that GP Dr. K.J. Redman has been trying to upgrade the practice premises since 2012 through the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The current surgery, built in the style of a bungalow, is struggling to cope with the demands of increasing patient numbers, the group says.

"New premises are urgently needed as the current ones are cramped and unfit for purpose," a spokeswoman from the group.

"In an independent survey for BCUHB in 2016 graded the premises at level 5, poor the lowest rating.

"In contrast the Practice is going from strength to strength with an expanding patient base which is likely to increase still further if future development plans in Overton and Penley go ahead."

The practice has acquired a new site in the vicinity of its current location – ideal for patient access and produced a Business plan for the project.

The group claim Dr Redman himself is willing to take on a loan for these new premises, provided the Health Board reimburses him the loan repayment costs through Revenue Funding.

She added: "This is the major stumbling block. While the health board acknowledge the need for new premises they are currently refusing to increase the ‘Notional Rent’."

The Action Group is enlisting patient pressure to drive this campaign forward and have even enlisted the support of Welsh Assembly Member, Ken Skates.

Mr Skates has visited the surgery and contacted the chair and chief executive of the health board, who reportedly refused an invitation to visit the surgery, deeming it 'inappropriate'.

To contact the Action Group, email hspag@googlegroups.com