The Availability of Out-of-hours Doctors

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:58 pm on 8 May 2018.

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Photo of Carwyn Jones Carwyn Jones Labour 1:58, 8 May 2018

(Translated)

Well, what we wish to ensure, of course, is that people do come to work in Wales. We have seen the numbers increasing because of that. We've seen, for example, the numbers increase in Ceredigion and in Pembrokeshire. Also, in Pembrokeshire, for example, in 2016, in terms of doctors coming into the training places, the percentage was zero, and then it's increased to 100 per cent within a year, in 2017. Now, is it true that there are pressures? Yes. Is it true to say that some services have not been sustained? Yes, that's correct. So, what's next? Well, Hywel Dda is employing advanced paramedic practitioners—people who can work within the local area. Adverts have been placed by the health board seeking to attract people into the Hywel Dda area. There is discussion ongoing at present on the potential to develop regional working, particularly during the night hours, and those are discussions with ABMU and Hywel Dda and also the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust. We are also looking at GPs working from home. That is being considered at present, and that, of course, will need to be considered to see how effective it is. So, yes, it’s true to say that the service has not been of the quality that we would expect, but the health board is working on resolving the situation.