After a very frank but productive meeting at which Nia Griffith MP and local councillors spelled out to the Hywel Dda Health Board the urgent need to improve GP access in Kidwelly, Nia is now working with Lee Waters AM and Gower AM Rebecca Evans AM, to take up patients’ worries about the availability of services at Pontarddulais GP surgery.
This follows concerns from residents in Hendy about not being able to see a GP, and anxiety about whether the surgery has enough doctors to serve the area.
Although the surgery comes under the neighbouring health board which serves Swansea (ABMU), it is also used by many patients resident in Carmarthenshire in the Hywel Dda University health Board Area.
The politicians have written to the Chair of ABMU Health Board to seek urgent assurances that the surgery will be staffed to the levels needed to offer a proper service to all those who seek treatment. They will be following this up with face-to- face meetings.
Nia Griffith MP explained, “If patients have to battle to see a doctor, and feel that they are being fobbed off by a receptionist, then those who have transport will turn up in A&E departments, putting further pressure on our hospitals. We must get these GP vacancies filled without delay.”
Lee Waters added, ”GPs are on the frontline of our services, and with a significant number of GPs approaching retirement, and the increased needs of our ageing communities, we need both urgent action to fill existing gaps and a far-reaching strategy to secure doctors for the future.”