A surgery in Wales says it will have to close if it is unable to recruit GPs. Borth Surgery in Ceredigion says it has been trying to recruit GPs for a number of years and has done 'everything it possibly can to make the practice viable.'
Th surgery said the doctors working there have announced "with a heavy heart" that the surgery will have to close unless it is able to recruit additional GPs. A statement posted to the surgery's Facebook page said that one of the doctors currently works one day a week, looking after diabetics and another doctor when she is off.
Another doctor "does the rest with support from other health care professionals", but the surgery has said that this is unsustainable, adding that "the ship is sinking". The post continues: "We have been looking for new GPs for several years now and have had some doctors interested only to find out in the end they have decided to go elsewhere. This has now happened again."
READ MORE: The rural Welsh village about to lose its last GP surgery
The surgery, which is actively looking for GPs, has appealed for people to share a link to a job advert to anyone who might be interested. While the surgery has said that prescribing pharmacists, advanced nurse practitioners and physicians associates have joined the practice, they are unable to work without the full-time supervision of a GP.
The practice, which opened in 1995, has also explored the possibility of merging with other local practices, but says this has been "to no avail". It has instead formed a federation with other local practices, which it says has enabled them to become a training practice for GPs and to do the administration of four other practices.
According to government statistics, one in five GP surgeries have closed in Wales in the last ten years. As of June 2022, there were 386 active GP practices in Wales. This is down from 474 in 2012. The number of GPs in Wales has risen from 2,015 in 2012 to 2,301 in 2022. However, there are more GPs in Wales practicing in larger surgeries in bigger towns and cities.
The surgery said: "We have worked with the health board to try and find a solution for a number of years and will continue to do so. In short, we have done everything we possibly can to keep going and make the practice viable. However, without GPs to hold the contract with the health board for general medical services none of the above is possible and the surgery will have to close," the statement reads.
"General Practices across the UK are facing the same problems; however, it is hitting rural general practice and the communities that they serve harder. Once it’s gone, it’s gone." Jill Paterson, director of primary care, community and long term care for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “The Health Board continues to work closely with Borth Surgery and support the Practice in their efforts to recruit new GPs.”
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