Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:10 pm on 19 November 2019.
Yes, thank you. I recognise the activity the Member's undertaken, particularly during the eight-week consultation about the Gilfach practice. It is worth recalling, of course, and the Member will know from our recent visit to Bryntirion—the second visit I've undertaken—about the changing model for primary healthcare, about having different healthcare professionals involved and engaged, with some general practitioners, but more therapists and in particular pharmacists, but also, in that particular practice, an advanced practice paramedic as well who has been a recognised and valued part of the team.
The change process is difficult and wanting to work deliberately in different ways, having more direct access to a different range of staff, that's the model we're trying to roll out. That doesn't mean to say that you need to have it contracting in the way that the service is provided. It's how they're expanding the number of professionals. That's why I'm so proud of the fact that we have recruited the highest ever number of GP trainees, including in the northern Valleys, because every single GP training scheme is full for the first time ever. And more than that, I look forward to further expanding the number of GP training places across Wales. The limiting factor in that is, actually, the number of practices that are prepared to be training practices themselves, and that actually helps sustainability in those practices that undertake it. So, I look forward to hearing more from the Member about his engagement with the local general practice community and the public, and I look forward to continuing to roll out the successful primary care model here in Wales.