Anger as last Welsh speaking GP retires
PATIENTS and local politicians are furious that a retiring Welsh-speaking GP won’t be replaced by another Welsh speaker.
Dr John Morris Jones, who retires at the end of this month, is the only Welsh-speaking doctor in the three practices that service Penygroes, Gwynedd.
The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board officials have confirmed that his replacement does not speak Welsh but that they are “actively supporting” the new doctor to recruit a Welsh speaking GP to the practice.
But that assurance has failed to satisfy Arfon AM Siân Gwenllian, who said: “I wrote to the Health Secretary Vaughan Gething in April voicing concerns that the Welsh-speaking service would be lost following the retirement of Dr Morris of the Dolwenith Surgery in Penygroes. I have not had a reply despite writing to him again recently.
“I raised the matter with the chair and chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in May and they promised to look into the matter but have had no news since. It is imperative that patients in the area continue to be able to access a Welsh-speaking doctor. Children and older people in particular need the choice of conversing in their first language, and lack of information from the authorities about what is going to happen is adding to the concerns locally.”
Heulwen Jones from Llanllfyni is furious that there will be no Welshspeaking GP, when Dr Jones retires, in an area where more than 75% speak the language.
She said: “I wrote to the health board in April to raise concerns about this. It’s completely unnacceptable. We need a Welsh-speaking GP in this area.”
A health board spokesperson said: “Primary care providers - including GPs - are independent, self-employed contractors, and therefore not bound by the health board’s Welsh language requirements.
“In accordance with our Welsh language scheme, our role is to advise and support which we are fully committed to delivering. The health board has a clear plan in place to ensure we offer the best possible level of support and encouragement to GP surgeries across North Wales.
“We have developed working relationships with numerous GP practices across North Wales and have been pro-active in working with community groups such as Menter Iaith, Bangor to raise awareness amongst the sector of the importance of Welsh language when delivering services to patients.
“We also offer our translation services to GP practices, as well as Welsh language training support.”
The Welsh Government said it expected all health boards to provide primary care services which meet the needs of their populations, including Welsh language needs.
“We understand Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is working to ensure the continuity of services to patients in Penygroes and is taking account of patients’ need to access services from a Welsh-speaking GP,” a spokesman said.