Thank you for contacting me about the future of general practice and primary care.

I agree that primary care services, including many GPs and pharmacists, have gone above and beyond for their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is clear that they have a vital role in supporting public health. 

It is also crucial that the Welsh NHS, including primary care, is provided with sufficient support to recover from the pandemic.

Welsh Conservatives are concerned that, in Wales, general practice receives just 7.85% of the total NHS budget – the lowest proportion of all four nations of the UK.  We are also concerned by the Royal College of GPs Wales’ survey which found that nearly a third of GPs are so stressed they feel they cannot cope at least once a week; nearly a quarter were unlikely to be working in general practice in 5 years’ time; and nearly half said it was financially unsustainable to run a practice.

Furthermore, unlike the UK Government, which has promised both significant investment into primary care and has provided a clear ten year plan, including technological advances, the Welsh Labour-led Government is lagging behind on similar commitments.

My colleagues and I in the Welsh Conservative Group are currently drafting our Manifesto for the 2021 Welsh Parliamentary elections, and I assure you that the points you raise will be given close consideration.  In the meantime, we will continue to press the Welsh Labour-led Government to wisely use the extra funding coming to Wales, following the billions in increased funding of the NHS in England by the UK Government, and provide considerable support to primary care in their next Budget. 

Yours sincerely

Mark Isherwood MS/AS

Member of the Welsh Parliament/Senedd Cymru for North Wales

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Housing and Communities

Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces and North Wales