The Senedd’s Siambr is a lively place when Members congregate for Plenary sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Speeches are met with passionate retorts and insightful interventions help to broaden our understanding of important topic. This week, however, as Members discussed the help required by the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, you could hear a pin drop in that Chamber.
I think that goes to show the seriousness of what we were discussing. Lack of bed capacity, staff shortages and an increasing number of patients turning to the ambulance service due to trouble accessing a face-to-face GP appointment are all contributing to this issue. With winter pressures already appearing to bite in September, I used my speech to make clear that the Welsh Government must now publish a comprehensive workforce plan.
On behalf of the constituents of Aberconwy, I sincerely wish to pay tribute to our Ambulance staff and crew, our switchboard operators and those nursing staff waiting at the other side of the A&E doors who are collectively combatting the handover waiting times. It is essential that this week’s debate intervention brings about a positive resolution to see their concerns realised.
At present, the Welsh Government’s so-called “NHS Recovery Plan” leaves much of the detail up to Local Health Boards and clinicians to deliver. In the short-term, the public urgently needs clarity on what steps the Minister for Health and Social Services is taking to facilitate the service's request that they British Army step in to assist, so that our troops can seamlessly start in their assistance.
Wales needs actions on these points now so that our Ambulance service can be empowered to work; their reputation restored and those patients most in need get the care they deserve.
On a similar topic, over recent months I have been increasingly concerned about the number of residents who are struggling to get a face-to-face GP appointment, opposed to a virtual or telephone one. This is why, following a meeting with the Royal College of GPs Wales, I wrote to fourteen local practices to see how I could offer greater support.
The Welsh Government’s guidance for GP surgeries to continue to use online or telephone services is placing further pressure on emergency services. We know that the lack of face-to-face appointments appears to be hitting our elderly residents the most. Indeed, research tells us that only around 75% of men and 68% of women aged between 65 and 74 use the internet.
Personable, face-to-face appointments are also essential to building long-term, trusting relationships. Whilst it is true that the use of digital technology has played an important role in the continuation of our Primary Care services during Covid-19, the onus should now be on supporting the return of more face-to-face appointments for those patients most in need. This means reviewing the telephone booking systems being used to ensure that it can cope with triage demands.
If you have a concern or question related to the issues outlined above, please do not hesitate to get in contact by emailing [email protected] or call 01492 871198.
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