1. What discussions has the Minister had regarding the capacity of GPs to respond to the demand on services in Cardiff? OQ57270

Thank you. All GP practices across Wales are working hard to respond to pressure and increased demand from patients. I have regular meetings with health board chairs to discuss how services are planned and delivered.

Thank you, Minister. In the first quarter of 2022, the Saltmead Medical Centre in Grangetown and the Albert Road Surgery in Penarth will close their doors to thousands of patients for the last time. In addition, if the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board gets its way and proceeds with its proposals, the same thing will happen in Pentyrch. This, despite the fact that hundreds of homes will have been built in that area recently.

I wrote to you back in October, raising concerns about the closure of that surgery, and despite the community health council's recommendations, the health board has not consulted the local community about that closure. There is to be a public meeting in Pentyrch on Monday, 13 December. Will you encourage representatives of the health board to attend that meeting, or if that is not possible, ensure that there is a full consultation with local residents so that they can raise their concerns and they don't feel like they are being ignored? Thank you.

Thank you very much. I am aware that the situation is causing concern for people who live in the Albert Road area and in Saltmead and Pentyrch and that's why the health board is looking into this situation. Of course, in terms of Albert Road, the people who attend that surgery will be able to continue to go there until 18 March, after which they will have access to another practice in the local area.

As you say, in terms of Pentyrch, I know they've been working with a third party to see where they will be able to build new premises, and of course I think it's important that people do take part in that consultation and that their voices are heard. And also in terms of Saltmead Medical Centre, services will be closing, as you say, on 25 February next year. What's happening is that the local teams and the local health board are very aware of the situation and they're putting things in place to ensure that people get the provision that they need.

A recent British Medical Association tracker survey has revealed that over half of the doctors surveyed in Wales have worked extra hours during the pandemic with a quarter of them reporting that these hours were unpaid. Over a third of the doctors who responded to the BMA's survey felt pressurised by their employer to work extra hours and over a third had also either skipped taking their allotted break time or had only taken it on rare occasions. This has unfortunately left many exhausted, with over half of the surveyed doctors reporting a higher than normal level of fatigue or exhaustion, and, worryingly, 76.6 per cent revealing that their stress levels had worsened since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Another survey commissioned by the BMA in April this year revealed that 51 per cent of members are currently suffering from depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, emotional distress, or another mental health condition, 16 per cent plan to leave the NHS altogether, and 47 per cent plan to work fewer hours after the pandemic. I'm sure that these percentages are reflected throughout the United Kingdom, and further afield, but they do indicate that the medical profession is under enormous strain, and this can only be made worse by the continuation of the pandemic and the new omicron strain. With this in mind, Minister, what measures are the Welsh Government taking to help support the health and well-being of GPs, as we begin another winter with COVID? Thank you.

Thanks very much for that question. I'm more than aware of the pressure that GPs have been under for an extended amount of time now. I know that many of them are absolutely exhausted, that they've seen far more patients than they've ever seen before, that the way they've had to change the way they facilitate access for patients very quickly has been difficult for many, and I'm aware that the sickness levels are at around 11 per cent, which is significantly higher than many other people working in the NHS. So, we're very aware of that, and my colleague who is responsible for mental health will be aware and is making sure that the help for health professionals is available for them. We've put £1 million into that over the course of the pandemic. And of course, we're trying to recognise with the announcement today that there will be a 3 per cent increase in terms of what we are giving in support to doctors, to recognise the work that they have been doing over this extremely difficult time.

It is going to be difficult. We've changed the way we work, and some of that has worked really well for patients, but GPs have had to adapt as well. And I think we do have to all make sure that we understand the pressure they've been under, which is why I would urge the people of Wales to consider if there are other mechanisms for them to get the support they need. And that could be through phoning 111; it could be through asking their pharmacy for support. So, just making sure people are aware of those alternatives.