Will the Cabinet Secretary detail how the Welsh Government is working with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and local authorities to alleviate pressures on the Penrhyn Bay GP surgery and other GP surgeries in north Wales?
Health boards are responsible for the planning and delivery of primary medical services to their populations; the NHS Wales Planning Framework 2022-2025 sets out guidance to boards in the planning of all health care services.
While health boards are responsible for contracting with general practices, they are managed as independent businesses. It is the responsibility of practices to oversee their day-to-day running, staffing and management. I understand two additional GPs have now been recruited to Penrhyn Bay surgery.
Health boards provide a range of support to general practices, including support following a change in practice escalation status, or on receipt of a sustainability application. Additionally, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has a consultant primary care nurse supporting the development and clinical governance around primary care nursing in North Wales. It also has the largest contingent of advanced nurse practitioners.
From 1 April 2022, capacity funding of £4m was made available recurrently for three years to practices via health boards. This scheme facilitates match funding of up to 50% of the cost of either additional posts on appointment or additional hours worked by existing post-holders, enabling GP practices to take on additional administrative and clinical resourcing with the aim of increasing GP capacity and improving patient outcomes.
I hold regular formal meetings with the chairs of each health board in Wales, to discuss a range of issues, including how they are improving the health outcomes of the populations they serve.