Doctors are valued by patients and profession

I NOTE with interest the Institute for Welsh Affairs recently published an article in your newspaper “Four radical ideas on how to fix the Welsh economy”. Particularly the comments regarding GPs.

GPs are the backbone of the NHS and are still considered to be very much part of the community throughout many parts of Wales. Indeed, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales’ most recent annual report states that patients value the care given to them by GPs.

But as with any backbone, if you apply too much pressure it will break – and GPs are under immense pressure.

The Welsh Government recognises this and is working to rectify it via its Train Work Live campaign – a scheme that I have welcomed in the past as a small part of a big jigsaw.

I am pleased to see that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services agrees that the comments regarding GPs in the article are wrong. Mr Gething tweeted that “so much of healthcare is more than just an equation to provide the right answer”.

I couldn’t have put it better myself and my colleagues and I continue to value his support.

GPs are valued by their patients, valued by the Welsh Government and are valued by the profession.

I accept the IWA’s offer to respond to their article and look forward to providing them with a full response shortly. Dr Charlotte Jones Chairman, General Practitioners Committee (Wales)