GP surgery doubt after doctors hand back contract

Doubt has been cast over whether a GP surgery can continue after two of its doctors decided to hand back their General Medical Services contract.

Dr Angharad Bevan and Dr Sara Wilson will resign their Gelligaer Surgery practice on April 30, 2023 and patients will receive care until then.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has told Caerphilly Senedd Member Hefin David it will advertise the practice locally and nationally for doctors to take over until November 28.

No announcement was made via the press.

Hefin David said: “The health board have told me that they are committed to the ongoing provision of services from the surgery in Gelligaer and gave assurances that nobody will be left without a GP.”

GPs are independent contractors to the NHS to provide primary care. Under this model, GPs are self-employed and have responsibility for running the surgery and providing care under the General Medical Services contract.

Throughout Wales, there are widespread issues regarding the recruitment and retention of doctors willing to do this.

In Caerphilly town for example, Lansbury Park Surgery and its branch at Troed y Bryn Surgery in Penyrheol were forced to close in April 2020.

The doctor running the surgeries decided to retire and the health board failed to recruit anyone to take over the contract.

Almost 4,000 patients were transferred to other practices in the area.

If the health board again fails to attract new doctors, patients could be transferred or the health board itself could run the surgery directly.

In 2020, Gelligaer Surgery made a successful application to the health to close its Gilfach branch surgery and consolidate care at its main site. At the time this was blamed on staff shortages.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has been asked by Caerphilly Observer whether it would be taking over the surgery if new doctors can’t be found.

We are awaiting their response.

The current Gelligaer Surgery building was opened in 2012 at a cost of £1.25 m