OVER the last few months the residents of Resolven and the immediate surrounding smaller villages have been protesting strongly against the plans to close our purpose-built health centre. The loss of this facility, which has served us so well, is catastrophic for all of us, no matter of what age.

Our case is based on more than just transport difficulties, though those living in Abergarward, Ynysarwed and along the Glynneath Road have a very infrequent bus service. As for the Vale of Neath Practice claiming that there are concerns for the security of doctors working alone at Resolven and the need, occasionally for a professional second opinion, better management of GP availability at Resolven would resolve those issues.

For readers' information, there are two GP consulting rooms among the good facilities at Resolven.

We are told that our chemist will become financially impractical to keep open, another loss to our community. Many more patients will request house calls, keeping a doctor away from the surgery for much longer periods.

Residents have fought hard, raised a petition, and attended the public meetings. They had the full support of a Conservative regional AM and our own local Neath Port Talbot councillor who also responded in writing to the consultation document. Our own community council failed to formally respond to the consultation, according to the community council minutes, but it must be said two or three out of about nine community councillors did speak at the meetings.

Our own usually very high-profile MP and AM have not been seen or heard of even giving a hint of supporting us at Resolven. These are two people who are quoted in the media regularly. So we must ask: "Why the silence from our constituency AM and MP?

Susan Elias

Ynysfawr, Resolven