This time last year, patients at GP surgeries in Wrexham were told they had a 'long way to go before they get what they deserve'. 

A year on and a significant amount of work later and Betsi Cadwaldar, who issued the warning to residents in Wrexham, are hoping that patients have noticed a positive shift in the service. 

The three surgeries in question are Borras, Hillcrest and Forge Road. 

Concerns had been raised over the ability to access GPs and difficulties with over-the-phone services at the surgeries. 

The Leader: Borras Park Surgery.

Over the last year, Betsi says they have worked hard to recruit new clinicians, including two GPs and four advanced nurse practitioners.

They have also employed new practice nurses and have secured longer-term commitments from our regular sessional doctors for surgeries to ensure consistency and familiarity for patients. 

This is in addition to developing a GP Workforce and Recruitment Plan, in an attempt to attract additional GPs to the region. 

Telephone services seemed to be a major issue for patients when trying to contact Hillcrest, something that the Health Board has addressed this year. 

Waiting times are now below two minutes on average for patients ringing in. 

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Receptionists have been trained, which allows them to signpost patients appropriately.

This approach gives staff more time to support patients who present with more complex, longer term presentations and reduce pressures on secondary care services. 

The last measure Betsi introduced includes the Urgent Primary Care Centre (UPCC) which continues to support GP surgeries across Wrexham and Flintshire. 

The UPCC helps by providing consultations for patients who have urgent on the day health issues, which also aids the practice to create capacity for patients with more complex, chronic conditions.

Betsi hope that the new measures will be well received by patients. 

Gill Harris, deputy chief executive and executive director of Integrated Clinical Services, said: “We are delighted with the improvements these GP surgeries have made over the last year, and we hope that our patients have noticed a difference in the service.  

“We acknowledge that all GP surgeries are still under pressure and there are patients who have found it difficult to get an appointment, but we will continue to make improvements and the staff are working extremely hard to manage the current unprecedented levels of demand for appointments. 

“There are many different healthcare professionals working within our GP surgeries who are highly capable of providing appropriate support, and we encourage patients who are offered these appointments to please attend them.  

“Many patients do like the flexibility of phone and video consultations, but we understand that doesn’t suit everyone and we are working hard to get the balance right."