There are 99 fewer GP practices in Wales today than there were in 2012

MS for North Wales

I recently led a Welsh Parliament debate on the state of GP practices in Wales, which are a key component of the health system.

Unfortunately, despite the hard work of general practitioners and other staff, the sector is under huge amounts of pressure. There are 99 fewer GP practices in Wales today than there were in 2012, and I am concerned that will soon reach triple figures.

This has happened, in large part, due to declining levels of funding from the Labour Welsh Government. As it stands, less than 8% of NHS Wales funding goes towards general practice, which is below 2005/06 levels.

Many readers will remember the halcyon days of general practice. You had traditional family doctors, the GP who would know your entire family and your medical history. They were able to appropriately assist with your entire wellbeing in addition to any issue you had on a particular day.

Now, thanks to the huge decrease in practice numbers, GPs are under immense pressure. As one practice shuts its doors, the waiting list is simply transferred to another practice.

That’s not only bad for patients, who are waiting longer and travelling further, but also terrible for the GPs themselves and other staff members at the practices.

This is demonstrated by statistics from the Royal College of General Practitioners. They found that that 67% of GPs do not have the time to take a rest break, and that 70% of GPs work more than their contracted hours most days.

No wonder we have a recruitment and retention crisis in Wales. Without a happy and supported staff, everything else falls to pieces.

As part of the Welsh Conservative debate motion, we endorsed the British Medical Association’s ‘Save our Surgeries’ campaign. That includes targets of 11% of NHS Wales's funding being spent on general practice and the production of a workforce strategy to ensure that Wales trains, recruits and retains enough GPs.

The fact we don’t already have such a strategy is deeply concerning. The Labour-run Welsh Government need to get a grip and make sure that general practice in Wales is fit for the future, so you can be confident of getting quality provision for years to come.

As ever, if you have any queries or issues you’d like to raise with me, then you can get in touch by emailing sam.rowlands@senedd.wales