Healthcare Staff Recruitment

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 3:24 pm on 1 December 2021.

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Photo of Samuel Kurtz Samuel Kurtz Conservative 3:24, 1 December 2021

Diolch, Weinidog. You'll be aware that Wales's second largest GP surgery is Argyle Medical Group, which is located in Pembroke Dock within my constituency of Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire. According to the latest data, over 22,000 patients fall under Argyle's care, making it one of five practices in Wales with over 20,000 registered patients; yet, the group has only nine registered GPs working from the centre. This is compared to 17 GPs at the Sketty and Killay Medical Centres in Swansea, which have a similar patient count. This means that the patient to GP ratio at the Argyle Street practice is a dangerous 2,506 patients per GP. Let's be clear, the Argyle Medical Group staff are working hard to deliver the best quality service they can. However, and as the stats show, their hands are tied by increasing recruitment pressures. Given this situation, can the Minister outline what steps she is taking to support Argyle Medical Group in the recruitment of further staff, including GPs, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and physiotherapists, to ensure that all staff members are supported in delivering the best care for their patients? Diolch.