4. Datganiad gan y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol: Mynediad at Wasanaethau Gofal Sylfaenol

Part of the debate – Senedd Cymru am 3:43 pm ar 28 Mawrth 2023.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 3:43, 28 Mawrth 2023

(Ddim wedi ei gyfieithu)

Can I thank the Minister for the advance copy of the statement on what is a really important topic, because we see a lot of anecdotal evidence that shows the difficulty in accessing primary care services, and how that drives pressure, of course, on emergency care with lots of people then turning to A&E? Indeed, that was one of the reasons why I brought forward the Welsh Conservatives' GP access plan.

One of the components of that was to upgrade and modernise GP phone systems—that often, I would suggest, don't work for many patients—helping to alleviate long waits when contacting a surgery. I've lost count of the times when I've had correspondence from constituents with regard to the out-of-date methods of trying to make an appointment. We've got that well-known 8 a.m. rush, for example. So, how are you going to support surgeries into the modern world in that regard, Minister? One of these ways could be through an NHS Wales app, so that patients in Wales, like those in England already, could access health records, order prescriptions, contact health professionals and, yes, of course, manage appointments as well. Where are we with this, which I would suggest is vital technology? Perhaps you can give an update in that regard. 

Again, on the plan that I've previously brought forward myself, Minister, have you given any consideration to the suggestion around cutting red tape for GPs so that they can see more patients, by allowing a greater range of professionals to be able to provide medical evidence and certificates, such as fit notes and DVLA checks? If others could do that, it would really free up GPs' time. And what about the improvements in transparency and accountability by increasing the oversight of practices and making health boards collect information on patients? That could certainly be done in a non-burdensome way, using IT, I would suggest. And of course, it's really frustrating for politicians like me, whose job it is to scrutinise the Government, to find that information is just not being collected on matters that are really important to the Welsh people and helping us to make policy judgments. 

Before I move away from GPs, it would be good to know, Minister, if you are happy with the Chancellor's decision to abolish the tax-free lifetime pension allowance, because it addressed in my view one of the driving factors pushing GPs to retire early. This was welcomed, I noticed, by the British Medical Association, who reported the very next day that doctors were already cancelling their retirements to further contribute to the NHS. But I did notice a bit in The Times that reported a dash to retire before Labour reverses this, despite Wes Streeting actually calling for this back in September. So, it would be good to know the Minister's and the Welsh Government's position in this regard, especially in the context that Welsh communities have lost 20 per cent of their GP practices in the last 10 years. 

On e-prescribing, an update on that would be appreciated. Again, in England and Scotland, we've seen that happen there since 2005 and 2009 respectively. Can we have an update on progress in that regard?

I wonder if the Minister also shares my concern that one of the challenges we need to overcome in Wales is the lack of knowledge about different primary care services—an absence of knowledge about what pharmacies and minor injury units can do. And on that note, what is the guidance to A&E units about referring people who are clearly in need of one of these services rather than emergency care in a timely manner? Basically, what I'm saying is that, if somebody turns up, perhaps, at A&E in the Heath hospital with a sprained ankle, they shouldn't be left to go through the system, taking up time and resources; I would suggest they should be then sent away to the more appropriate department straight away. I was just wondering if the Minister shares that view. 

Dentists you've mentioned, Minister. I know in the recent update you provided in that regard you talked about a meeting with the British Dental Association in the next couple of weeks, at the time. Have you had that meeting? Can you update us on what followed that meeting, if it has taken place? 

And finally, you ended your statement by referring to commissioning independent research around accessing primary care services. That's very good, and I very much welcome that. You mentioned that the views of the public are really extremely important, and I agree with that as well. Can you give us any details on the timeline of that work and how can the public engage?