The future of Primary Care provision for patients registered with St David’s GP Surgery in Pembrokeshire will be discussed at a health board meeting this Thursday.
An engagement exercise was undertaken to gather patient and local stakeholder views on the future of GP services following the decision of the one GP who runs the Surgery to resign his General Medical Services Contract, which takes effect from October 31, 2024.
The engagement with patients and stakeholders included a drop-in event St David’s City Hall in June. This event was well-attended and gave people an opportunity to discuss their concerns in person with the Health Board and Llais, the patient’s voice organisation for Wales.
Patients and members of the local community were also able to share their views via a questionnaire which was available at the engagement event, and also from the Surgery, the local Pharmacy, online, or by contacting the Health Board by phone or e-mail.
Director of Primary Care, Community and Long-Term Care at Hywel Dda University Health Board Jill Paterson said:
“Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to feed back their views to us. The Health Board is committed to listening to and engaging with our local populations and we would like to thank patients and stakeholders for their involvement in the process so far.
“We would like to reassure patients that we are working to find a sustainable solution from the limited options available so that services can be delivered as locally as possible for patients from November 1.”
The main themes picked up during the engagement period include concerns about the impact on the community of St David’s if the Surgery were to close, continuity of care and also travel to another GP surgery, especially with regard to public transport.
“People at the drop-in event were provided with information about the frequency of public transport and other transport support available in the community,” said Ms Paterson.
“There was also much appreciation expressed for Dr Stephen Riley and his team and for the care that they have provided over the years. We very much appreciate the continuing support given by the Community to the team at St David’s Surgery throughout this challenging period.”
On Thursday, July 25, the Board will consider the feedback received.
To read the Board papers and watch the meeting on the day, visit: Board Agenda and Papers 25 July 2024 - Hywel Dda University Health Board (nhs.wales)