Call for more GPs to avoid ‘collapse’ of service

A DOCTOR claims more GPs are urgently needed across Wales to avoid a “complete collapse” of the service. Dr Farookh Jishi, a retired surgeon who represents doctors across north-east Wales, described general practice as “underfunded, understaffed and overworked”.

He was speaking at the British Medical Association’s (BMA) annual representative meeting in Brighton last week where his motion, which called for a boost to training places at undergraduate and postgraduate level, was passed. His motion also stated that there is a “recruitment crisis” in primary care in Wales and urged the Welsh Government to improve terms and conditions of service and use more incentives to attract applicants.

“GPs are the backbone of our NHS. Some would say that GPs are one of the pillars of the local community. Yet it is a sad state of affairs that this service is under great stress and has been for some time, even before the Covid pandemic,” he explained.

“The service is underfunded, understaffed and overworked. Patients are getting a raw deal and are increasingly frustrated in trying to see their GPs. Doctors are taking the blame and being called lazy, while in fact they are experiencing burnout. The problems in secondary care, with its backlog of waiting lists, is increasing the demand on GP services. How can an understaffed service cope with increasing demand?

“The issue of understaffing needs to be addressed urgently to avoid a complete collapse of the service.”

Dr Jishi said as many as 19 practices in North Wales have handed the keys over to their health boards, resulting in the “inevitable fall in efficiency”. He added: “The situation is only going to get worse in the coming years. Some 25% of GPs are over the age of 60 and 50% over the age of 50. The non-resolution of the pensions issue, low morale and the feeling of burnout will inevitably lead to some opting for early retirement. Recruitment must match the vacancies and more.

“Increasing training places and the new North Wales medical school will take years to make a difference and is but one part of the solution. GP practices must be incentivised to train more recruits. It should also be remembered that there is a competition for places with surgeries in England. This is especially so in border regions like north-east Wales, the constituency I represent. Incentives and innovation, in addition to financial incentives, are required to improve recruitment and retention.”

He said one answer to attracting new recruits would be to invest in “well-designed and purpose-built” GP surgeries with good IT infrastructure.