Concerns raised that NHS-run Colwyn Bay GP surgery is ‘not delivering for patients’

A politician has demanded an urgent meeting with health officials following complaints that a GP surgery in Colwyn Bay is not delivering for patients.

In November last year, Rhoslan practice was transferred to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to be run as a managed practice after Dr Close terminated his contract with the NHS.

Since that time, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar said he had received constant complaints from local residents about the surgery.

He met with the health board in March to highlight the concerns, but the problems persist and the Conservative MS is concerned that patients are being put at risk.

He is therefore demanding a meeting with the chief executive and chair of the health board and is also calling on Health Inspectorate Wales to investigate.

He said: “The service at Rhoslan surgery has deteriorated significantly since the GP contract was handed back to the Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board and it became a health board managed practice.

“Patients are complaining about an inability to obtain appointments with a GP, difficulties getting prescriptions, not being able to get through to the surgery on the telephone, promised call backs from health professionals not happening, and people telling them to go to minor injuries or the emergency department because ‘no doctors are available’.

“The situation is totally unacceptable and is putting patients at risk.

“I met with the health board some months ago due to rising complaints and they promised a suite of action to resolve matters but things just seem to be getting worse.

“I am going to demand a further meeting with the chief executive and chair and will also now write to Healthcare Inspectorate Wales to raise concerns and ask them to investigate.”

Gill Harris, Betsi Cadwaladr’s executive director of integrated clinical services, said: “We apologise that there have been periods where the GP surgery has been unable to deliver the level of service we want to offer our patients, which is largely due to a shortage of clinical staff, coupled with an increase in demand.

“We took on the management of the Rhoslan Surgery on 1st December 2021, following the resignation of the previous contract holder.

“We are seeking a new GP partnership to take on the Rhoslan contract and we hope to make a recommendation in the summer.

“We are working hard to recruit new staff and have employed locum GPs, nurse practitioners and pharmacists, as well as redeploying staff from other parts of the health board.

“Many patients can be seen by an experienced member of the wider clinical team, ensuring that GPs can prioritise their time for more complex patients.

“We have asked the Royal College of General Practitioners to undertake a supportive peer review of the GP surgery which will start shortly, advising the health board on additional measures we can take to improve services.

“The health board’s chief executive, Jo Whitehead, and vice chair, Lucy Reid, met Mr Millar in March to brief him on the actions taken and will of course be happy to meet him again.

“We would ask the public to help us by accessing the appropriate advice and care from other NHS services, including our minor injuries units, NHS 111 and local pharmacies.

“Please visit the BCUHB website or contact NHS 111 for advice if you are unsure where to go.”