Blaenau Gwent in the north Gwent valleys includes the towns of Ebbw Vale, Abertillery, Brynmawr, Tredegar, Nantyglo and Blaina. It was the home county of Aneurin Bevan, who was born in Tredegar, and the town’s Tredegar Medical Aid Society was considered a forerunner to the NHS. You can have your say on stories by signing in here THERE was no breach of contract by a private partnership running GP surgeries which failed to pay doctors, staff, pension contributions and the taxman a senior health board official has said. Leanne Watkins, chief operating officer of Gwent’s Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, told local councillors at the health board meeting at St Cadoc’s Hospital, the Brynmawr partnership run by doctors J Ahmed and J Allinson and supported by a private firm, eHarley Street had been taken back into health board control with four other surgeries place enhanced monitoring. Ms Watkins told the board meeting: “Technically, as hard as it is for you guys to believe, there is no breach of contract. It is really important for us to maintain good working relationships, had we got into a difficult legal situation we wouldn’t have been able to take action as quickly as we did. Technically, as hard as it is for you guys to believe, there is no breach of contract “In Brynmawr they voluntarily resigned that contract.” The Aneurin Bevan Board had previously directly managed Brynmawr and four other surgeries which the Ahmed/Allinson partnership took on since April last year. The partnership also runs three other surgeries in Gwent. The board began “escalated monitoring” of the partnership at the end of October following complaints from doctors, staff, patients and local politicians. Health board chief executive Nicola Prygodzicz said: “There were concerns around locums not being paid, issues with HMRC, pensions and suppliers not being paid.” This week the partnership handed back the contract for Brynmawr with four other surgeries subject to enhanced monitoring although she stressed there were no safety concerns. However, chief executive said the board wants reassurances over management and payments that must be made and also confirmed an internal audit will be carried out into how the contracts were awarded. She said: “We sought legal advice to understand the contractual position and have commissioned an internal audit to undertake a review of our contract award process which is a standard process. “We will be working closely with them for continued assurance around payments that are outstanding to locums and suppliers and are concerned these are still an issue for them and also seeking further assurances around HMRC and pensions because we are being assured all that is now above board, there were some issues in transition, but we are told all that is now above board. “But we have been picking up concern through individuals that they are concerned their personal accounts are not up to date and are trying to seek further assurance with the partnership around this particular issue.” Board finance chief Rob Holcombe said financial support it has provided, which has included paying for additional GP sessions in Brynmawr in December, is available to all GP surgeries. He also said a lot of GPs surgeries across the UK are facing pressures. The Ahmed/Allinson partnership, supported by eHarley Street, also holds the contract for a surgery at Blaenavon although Ms Prygodcicz said concerns there aren’t out of line with any other practices. Comments Tel: 01873 852187[email protected]Follow us Further Links Owned or licensed to Tindle Newspapers Ltd | Independent Family-Owned Newspapers | Copyright & Trade Mark Notice & 2013 - 2025 Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today A Leicestershire-based management company which runs two GP practices in Caerphilly County Borough is under “enhanced monitoring” from the health board after it handed back the contract for another of its surgeries eHarleyStreet has been the subject of media reports alleging that staff had not been paid and that access to doctors had been limited at its practice in Brynmawr The company has now handed the contract to run Brynmawr back to the health board Caerphilly Observer has also been told of similar allegations at Bryntirion Surgery in Bargoed and companies closely associated with eHarleyStreet as well as surgeries in Newport and Cardiff The company, through its solicitors, has previously denied allegations of mismanagement and blamed locum agencies of “driving up prices to unsustainable levels“ A spokesman for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said: “We have received the resignation of the GP partnership between Dr [Jonathan] Allinson and Dr [Jalil] Ahmed for the contract that they hold at Brynmawr Medical Practice We have agreed for the transitional arrangements to commence immediately with an official transfer date being March 1 “Our focus now is on working closely with the staff at Brynmawr Medical Practice and the local community to provide good access to quality primary care services within the area We want to thank the community for their understanding and support as we transition these arrangements “The GP partnership remains in enhanced monitoring for their other practices within the health board and we will continue to work closely with them to ensure primary care services are sustainable and meet the needs of our patients.” The health board does not hold any General Medical Services contracts directly with eHarleyStreet but rather with named GP partners associated with the firm Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday January 28 Blaenau Gwent Senedd Member Alun Davies welcomed the contract resignation and called on the Welsh Government to make a statement on the situation He said: “This partnership leaves behind an absolute mess: tax unpaid “These are not the values of the Welsh NHS or the values of the Welsh Government “We now have a situation where there continue to be other such practices in the Aneurin Bevan area and I know members elsewhere are supporting patients in their own constituencies where patients are not receiving the service that they have the right to expect and where staff face bullying as a fact of their working lives.” GPs are self-employed and have responsibility for running the surgery and providing primary care under an NHS General Medical Services contract this contract is negotiated routinely every year by the doctors’ union through the union’s Welsh GP Committee Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.Become a member today South Wales Fire and Rescue swiftly tackled a sub station fire in Brynmawr Retail Park restoring power and removing a critical safety hazard Police and fire crews established a cordon around the busy shopping area until the fire was brought under control. A spokesperson for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "SWFRS received a call at approximately 13:16 to reports of a fire within an sub station in Brynmawr Retail Park. "Crews and appliances from Brynmawr attended the scene and used one hose reel jet and breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. "The fire caused a power outage in the area, a cordon is in place and crews are liaising with Gwent Police and National grid. Tel: 01873 852187[email protected]Follow us COUNCILLORS have called for a meeting with Gwent health chiefs amid concerns that primary care in Blaenau Gwent is a ‘mess’ with patients struggling to see a GP in Brynmawr. Councillors heard that approintments were difficult to find at medical practices in Brynmawr and Tredegar managed by a Leicestershire based firm, eHarley Street primary care solutions. The concerns were raised as councillors received the annual report and area plan for health and wellbeing from the Gwent Regional Partnership Board (RPB) where Cllr Sonia Behr described primary care as being ‘in a mess at the moment locally’. “Surgeries are grouped together and managed by a team based in England with very little communication’ said Cllr Behr who also claimed there had been financial issues with the surgeries which saw GPs not paid and subsequently refusing to work. Cllr Behr said that for the last three days people have not been able to book an appointment at her surgery in Brynmawr because ‘they don’t have any doctors’. Head of the Gwent regional partnership team, Natasha Harris who had presented the annual report said that the RPB is not directly involved in the work of GPs but added she would would investigate. Interim director of social services Alyson Hoskins said that she would be happy to take it up with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABHB) and arrange a meeting. Deputy council leader Labour’s Cllr Helen Cunningham suggested that the council leader Cllr Steve Thomas and the chief executive Steve Vickers should write urgently to the health board to flag up the issues and the level of concern about this. Opposition Independent group leader, Cllr Wayne Hodgins said: “We are seeing significant problems in Brynmawr.” He added that talks with the health board over these issues had already taken place but did not seem to be “hitting the right notes.” Cllr Gardner said that another meeting with the health board had been arranged for January, but believed it needed to take place earlier than that. Cllr Garnder said: “This issue will have an impact on social services and all other care areas in the borough. “It needs to be addressed as soon as possible.” Council leader, Cllr Steve Thomas (Labour) agreed that he would bring the issues up with health chiefs. Following the meeting a heath board spokesperson said: “The health board does not hold any general medicalsServices (GMS) contracts with e-Harley Street Primary Care Solutions. “All GMS contracts within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board are held with named individual GPs. “We are aware of concerns related to a GP partnership within the health board region and are meeting regularly with the GP Partners to ensure they are operating in line with their contractual obligations. “We acknowledge the high demand for primary care services across the country, and this is also experienced here in Gwent. “We are committed to working with and supporting our GP partnerships to provide sustainable and reliable services for our population.” eHarley Street has been contacted for a comment. Tel: 01873 852187[email protected]Follow us A MAN has appeared at Cardiff Crown Court charged over the death of a woman passenger in a late night car crash in Brynmawr more than seven years ago. Jay Bayliss, 31, of Heol Onen, Brynmawr, is alleged to have caused the death by dangerous driving of Sophie Brimble, 20, from Crickhowell on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. She died at the scene from her injuries after the Volkswagen Polo she was travelling in shortly after midnight collided with a lamp post on the town's King Street. Bayliss did not enter a plea and was bailed to appear again before the crown court on Tuesday, February 21. Tel: 01873 852187[email protected]Follow us A 12-YEAR-OLD girl is being treated in hospital for life changing injuries after a dog attack in Brynmawr. Police rushed to reports of the attack at The Crescent, Nantyglo shortly before 6pm on Monday (October 7), and the animal involved – thought to be an XL bully – was seized and later put down by a vet. A man and a woman have also been arrested, while inquiries have been launched to officially establish the breed of dog, which a neighbour said was called Rocco. The local resident, who didn’t want to be named, said they had seen the dog several times on the street, and it was about 12-15 stone (76-95kg). They added that they believed the girl, who suffered injuries to her arm and back, had not lived at the same address as the animal. The girl’s family have claimed the animal wasn’t on a lead and the attack was split second. A Gwent Police spokesperson said on Monday night: “We were called to The Crescent, Brynmawr, at around 5.50pm following reports of a dog attack. “Officers attended and a 12-year-old girl was taken to hospital with life changing injuries. “The dog was seized by officers and will be destroyed. No other animals were involved in the attack. “A 37-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, both from the Brynmawr area, have been arrested on suspicion of owning or possessing a dog bred for fighting and owning or possessing a dog dangerously out of control. “They remain in police custody at this time.” Supt John Davies said: “This was a distressing incident for those involved. I would like to reassure the local community there is no further risk to the public. “It is possible that you may see ongoing police activity in Brynmawr as part of this work. You may have also seen an increased presence earlier this evening while officers were attending the incident. “If you have concerns or information, please stop and talk with us.” Tel: 01600 712142[email protected]Follow us Further Links Wales’ 18th Purple Plaque will be unveiled in Brynmawr tomorrow (Wednesday) to celebrate the fearless rebel, Minnie Pallister. Minnie Pallister was an outstanding feminist whose exceptional advocacy of women’s rights from the 1920s to the 1950s made her a forerunner of the Women’s Liberation Movement.  Minnie, who was born in Cornwall, travelled throughout Britain with her family as her dad was a Methodist Minister. They settled in Brynmawr where she gained a teaching qualification at University in Cardiff and taught at Brynmawr County Primary Infant School known as the board school from 1906 to 1918. Minnie’s role went largely unremembered until the meticulous research of Alun Burge for his biography Minnie Pallister: Voice of a Rebel published by Parthian Books to coincide with the plaque unveiling. It’s thanks to this - and the nomination by the former First Minister Mark Drakeford - that the 18th Purple Plaque is set to become a reality. Sue Essex, Chair of Purple Plaques Wales, said: “Thanks to Alun’s book we can at last rediscover and shine a light on this remarkable woman. A dedicated feminist, Minnie was always completely courageous and committed and in her day she clearly had enormous influence. Thanks to Blaenau Gwent CBC and Brynmawr Museum and Historical Society Minnie Pallister will be remembered with a Purple Plaque. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford, who nominated Minnie and will be unveiling the plaque at the ceremony in Brynmawr, said: “On every page of this fine new book I found myself asking, “Why didn’t I know that already?” A remarkable life, a formative influence on the labour movement, and the pivotal role of women within it-all just waiting to be discovered. Marking Millie Pallister’s life with a Purple Plaque is just the start of that journey.” A Brynmawr school teacher, Minnie was the leading woman opponent of the First World War in Wales when such opposition was highly unpopular. As Welsh secretary of the No Conscription Fellowship, she looked after the welfare of 900 conscientious objectors and their dependents. Twice accused of sedition, she remained a prominent, lifelong pacifist. During years of infirmity and near-destitution, often bedridden, lying flat on her back and without the strength in her fingers to be able to type, to survive economically Minnie wrote newspaper articles in longhand. After her health returned, her journalistic career blossomed and she became a successful journalist with the Daily Herald and the Daily Mirror, writing 600 articles, five books, including an autobiographical account and a clutch of pamphlets.  In 1938-9, she twice travelled to Nazi Germany and helped rescue Jewish people, which she continued to do up to the outbreak of the Second World War.    By the 1950s, her career as a formidable broadcaster, which had begun in 1938, saw Minnie bring a cutting edge to Woman’s Hour’s where she was made guest editor and saw her life story serialised on radio.  For good measure she provided the inspiration for Spike Milligan’s Goon Show character Minnie Bannister. Alun Burge’s biography of Minnie Pallister, Minnie Pallister: Voice of a Rebel, is launched by Parthian to coincide with the unveiling of the purple plaque. Tel: 01873 852187[email protected]Follow us Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information The landscaped courtyard contains a piece by Nekisha Durrett called “Don’t Forget to Remember (Me).”  Artist Nekisha Durrett’s latest piece of provocative public art illuminates a dark chapter in the history of the Philadelphia women’s college.   XLinkedInEmailLinkGiftFacebookXLinkedInEmailLinkGiftBy April 26 2025 at 8:00 AM EDTBookmarkSaveFor an elite liberal arts college rooted in rigorous academics Don’t kiss on certain benches or under certain arches or you’ll break up Walk through these poles with a friend and you’re bound to have an argument Beware the customs reserved exclusively for seniors and alums who alone are entitled to begin the school’s ancient Greek chant Win HappyPremiumSearch Rayohits radiosouth walesnewsGirl has 'life changing' injuries after dog attack in Blaenau GwentThe attack happened in Brynmawr just before 6pm yesterday evening Police say a 12-year-old girl has suffered life-changing injuries after being attacked by a dog in Blaenau Gwent at around 5.50pm last night following reports of a dog attack Officers attended and a 12-year-old girl was taken to hospital with life changing injuries The dog was seized by officers with the force saying the animal will be destroyed have been arrested on suspicion of owning or possessing a dog bred for fighting and owning or possessing a dog dangerously out of control They remain in police custody for questioning Superintendent John Davies said: “This was a distressing incident for those involved I would like to reassure the local community there is no further risk to the public “It is possible that you may see ongoing police activity in Nantyglo as part of this work You may have also seen an increased presence earlier this evening while officers were attending the incident First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app. Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898)