The British medical Association has warned that the GP recruitment crisis affecting services in parts of Wales is getting worse, with more surgeries than ever facing an uncertain future.
The warnings come as new figures reveal a spike in the number of GP practices being handed back to health boards to run.
Shadow Health Secretary, Angela Burns, has tabled a debate in the Senedd next week – the first week back after summer recess – to force the Labour government to tackle the GP recruitment issue head on.
Mrs Burns says that Welsh Labour, who have run the Welsh NHS for 17 years, have ignored repeated warnings from health bodies and opposition parties.
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.
“The Health Secretary must take swift action and Welsh Conservatives have tabled a debate in the Assembly next week to force the Labour Government to tackle this issue head on.
“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.”
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