Wales hears call for rural GP premium

Opposition Welsh politicians have challenged the Welsh Assembly over rural general practice.

In a debate on the BMA’s Save our Surgeries petition Mid and West Wales AM Jane Dodds (Welsh Liberal Democrats) called again for a GP rural premium to recognise the significant and additional challenges for GPs in our rural areas.

In reply, Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Miles said: “GPs will continue to be central to primary care now and for the future, particularly as we move more care from hospitals and into local communities.”

Following the BMA Cymru campaign Save our Surgeries campaign he said: “I want to reassure GPs that we have heard the messages about the huge demands and the pressure on staff welfare [and] are taking steps to address these issues.”

Later the same day Ams debated the future of local healthcare in rural Wales. Debate champion Brecon and Radnorshire AM James Evans (Welsh Conservative) pointed out the critical role of GP practices in rural areas. He said: “The critical role of GP practices in rural communities cannot be overstated. If we are serious about rural healthcare, we do need to empower our GPs and give them tools to manage their practices efficiently.” Fellow Conservative Sam Rowlands (North Wales) said that senior ministers should look at practice amalgamations and consider how they how will work in rural areas. He said: “There should be a greater piece of work to ensure that our rural communities have GP surgeries that are accessible.”

Political News Wales