‘We’re in dire need of doctors’

Montgomeryshire is in urgent need of more doctors, with figures published in an annual report by the Welsh Government showing the number of registered GPs working in Wales is at a five-year low.

There are currently 1,926 GPs working in Wales – 83 fewer than in 2016. In the same period, the number of GP locums has risen by 10.2%, but worryingly of the 212 GP practitioners leaving the workforce between 2016 and 2017, just over half re-joined as a locum.

And local Assembly Member Russell George has said that several local practices are in urgent need of new full time doctors.

 “For my part, it's important that we pay tribute to our local GPs, nurses and healthcare professionals; they do an outstanding job in often difficult circumstances,” he said.

“However, when I speak to local people here in Mid Wales, while patients are generally pleased with their local GP practice, there is specific concern with how long patients have to wait to receive an appointment.

“One of the most pressing issues is GP recruitment. This is rapidly becoming a crisis for the NHS across Wales, placing our general practitioners under severe strain.

“There are a number of practises in in Montgomeryshire attempting to recruit GPs, including in Newtown, Llanidloes, Glantwymyn and Montgomery. 

“The situation here in rural Mid Wales is approaching breaking point. Not only are they working under considerable pressure, they have also been burdened with the increasing cost of medical insurance.”