Alarm over shortage of Welsh GPs

THE number of GPs working in Wales is at its lowest level in a decade and if the trend continues the service will become unsustainable.

According to new data from the Royal College of GPs, the workforce needs a major boost to prevent the service from reaching “tipping point”.

In 2017-18, there were 1,926 GPs employed in Wales, excluding locums, retainers and registrars. That was 100 less than the peak in 2013-14 of 2,026 – and the lowest since 1,882 in 2006-7.

Between 2016-17 alone, the number fell from 2,009 to 1,926, a drop of 83 GPs or 4.1%.

RCGP Wales claims the fall in the number of GPs comes at a time when demand for general practice is rising as a result of a growing population.

The organisation says general practice services are under major strain, affecting GPs’ ability to deliver the care that patients need and deserve.

Dr Rebecca Payne, RCGP chairwoman for Wales, said: “The news that workforce numbers have fallen is very disappointing for GPs and for patients.

“Workforce shortages are already being felt across Wales, there are fewer GPs to cope with rising demand and patients are having to wait longer to see their GP. The situation is not sustainable. General practice can be a rewarding and fulfilling profession but the workforce is increasingly stretched for some GPs the pressure is becoming too much.

“It is imperative that the Welsh Government takes urgent action to boost the GP workforce and expand the number of other healthcare professionals working in general practice.”

Shadow Health Secretary Angela Burns said GPs had been warning of a recruitment crisis for years.

She said: “The Welsh Labour Government’s failure to heed warnings from organisations like the BMA has led to a serious crisis in GP recruitment and retention...

“These new figures further emphasise the need for systemic, long-term planning of the Welsh NHS, including action to improve recruitment and retention initiatives for frontline staff.”

Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth says the latest data is further evidence of Welsh Labour’s “incompetence”.

“Yet again we have a reminder that Labour’s failure to take doctor recruitment seriously is creating a crisis that, if not addressed, will jeopardise health service delivery in many parts of Wales .... This year’s decline could just be the start of a wider fall – it’s already showing we have fewer GPs than 10 years ago,” he said.

In response, the Welsh Government said a more “complete measure” of GP numbers would include locums, retainers and registrars.