‘SORT OUT TOWN’S GP SERVICE OR SOMEONE WILL DIE’
Politicians call on Betsi and Cardiff to take urgent action after loss of doctors leaves residents ‘nowhere to turn’:
CONCERNS have been raised that “people could die” unless action is taken to restore GP services in Anglesey’s most populated town.
The loss of doctors over recent months has led to the health board taking over two of Holyhead’s three surgeries, with residents reportedly left with “nowhere to turn”.
The situation, according to one county councillor, has left constituents relying on out of hours services at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board says a GP based in south Gwynedd will be deployed to Holyhead for two days a week to help alleviate the current issues.
“It’s a matter of grave concern that two surgeries in Anglesey’s largest town –Longford Road and Cambria – have lost so many doctors that they have now been forced to come under the management of the health board,” said Rhun ap Iorwerth AM.
Holyhead’s Victoria Surgery is now the only stand-alone surgery in the town.
“Constituents have been told there are no doctors there at all on some days and that the surgeries are manned by hard-working nurses and reception staff only,” said Mr ap Iorwerth.
“I’m told that, when patients phone for appointments, in need of a doctor urgently in some cases, they are told to phone back on another day.
“I’m proud that Plaid Cymru was successful in its campaign for a centre to train doctors at Bangor University, but it’ll be a number of years before we see the first qualified doctors coming through.
“We need action now to get primary care back on track in Holyhead.”
A local councillor also raised the issue during a recent full council meeting, concerned that recent planning permission for several housing developments would only exacerbate the issue locally.
Cllr Shaun Redmond also rued the “lack of a solution or extra money to solve the problem”.
“Constituents have been calling at my house, anxious they can’t get a appointment as no doctors are available and they desperately need attention,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service, adding that district nurses were also being “stretched to breaking point”.
“Unfortunately, they then end up at out of hours at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, raising anxiety and tempers in the process.
“Longford Surgery has had no doctors on several days last week, while Cambria had a doctor but was restricting appointments.”
He added: “We need to put full weight on Betsi and Cardiff to get an urgent solution or else someone will die as a result. At this rate it’ll be another five years before a decision is made and Victoria Surgery will also be in crisis by then.
“Young doctors need modern health centres to attract them.”
Wyn Thomas, BCUHB assistant director for Primary Care West, said: “The recruitment of GPs remains a challenge for much of the UK because of a national shortage.
“We are working hard to recruit salaried permanent GPs at Longford Surgery and Cambria Surgery through advertisements which are currently open and dedicated recruitment events.
“In the interim, regular locum GPs are supporting the practice.
“In addition, one of our salaried GPs currently working in South Gwynedd will be based at the practice two days a week from October 21.”