Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:49 pm on 12 October 2021.
First Minister, as you will be aware, as well as struggling to access mental health services, there are also people across Wales who are really struggling to access their GP, as mentioned earlier on in this session. The pandemic has exposed the fact that there are not enough doctors and staff in primary care. Whilst I understand that there has been recruitment activity taking place, that's of little comfort to those patients waiting day in, day out to book an appointment to see their GP. I accept what you said earlier, that the picture is mixed, but many are left waiting for up to an hour or even longer on the phone to speak to someone, and when they finally get through they are often told there are no available appointments, and to call back the following day.
We know that there has been a reduction in the number of GPs; according to the Welsh Government's own data, between 2018 and 2020, there has been a reduction in the number of GPs per 10,000 of population in three out of seven of our health boards—in Betsi Cadwaladr, Powys and Aneurin Bevan health boards. So, First Minister, with the population numbers in those areas growing over the same period, what assessment have you made of the impact the reduction of GPs in those areas has had on patient care?