A local resident has written to every Pembrokeshire county councillor campaigning for improved access to GP services across the county.

Carl Shutt of Pembroke said that the campaign was initially concentrated on the Argyle Group in Pembroke Dock, but swiftly realised that it was a wider issue rather than just with one surgery and the responsibility of Hywel Dda University Health Board.

“GPs are the gatekeepers to diagnosis, prescriptions, imaging and consultant referrals, but it is not unusual to make dozens of calls over different days and fail to speak to a person!” he said.

“Meanwhile patients young and old, with a variety of conditions and abilities are unecessarily suffering with pain and stress.

“This has to change and we the patients demand action and explanations from the local Health Board and the Welsh Government.

“This is not an attack on any single practice, or practice staff who work hard and are doing their best and are being squeezed on all sides, nor is it an attack on standards of care - it is attack on the system that no one seems capable of or willing to fix!” he explained.

In his correspondence to councillors, Mr Shutt stated: “I am writing to you on behalf of a 200 person strong group ‘Improving  Access to GP Services Across Pembrokeshire’. Our objective is in the group title.

“We are taking the unusual step to write to every Pembrokeshire County Councillor because we believe you as individuals and a collective have a duty to speak up, on behalf of your constituent’s.

“One of the biggest concerns of constituents/patients across the County is trying to get a GP appointment. Without any exaggeration people are frustrated, fearful, angry and despondent!

“It is not unusual for someone to telephone hundreds of times between 8 and 9 am repeated over several days, as required by some surgeries and still not secure an appointment,” he continued.

Mr Shutt stated that Hywel Dda University Health Board as the Commissioners of Primary Care Services across the County, are responsible for ensuring compliance and have a ‘duty of care’ to ensure that GP services are meeting their contractual obligations and complying with the Equalities Act and their Public Sector Duties

“Those Pembrokeshire surgeries that rely solely or largely, upon a telephone only contact service are in breach of the General Medical Services GP Contract, and are failing to meet the required Access Standards Wales,” he stated.

“Additionally, they are Institutionally Discriminating against several groups with ‘Protected Characteristics’ by applying a condition that in effect Indirectly Discriminates, against these same groups.

“Despite the problem has been ongoing for many years. No representative from Pembrokeshire County Council, has substantially and visibly intervened on behalf of their constituents.

“Even though under the Umbrella of the County Council, the Public Service Board (PSB) which comprises of statutory service providers in Pembrokeshire, has to publish an assessment on the public services provided.

“The Public Service five year plan is due to commence in March 2023. Both the assessment and plan have to be approved by PCC. A standing Partnership Panel, under the auspices the Corporate Governance Overview and Scrutiny Committee, is charged with the responsibility for the PSB, it’s Statutory Assessments and Plans.

“Now is the time for individual councillors, politically affiliated groups, committee chairs and the full council via the chief executive officer to fulfil their contract with the people and loudly champion their constituents’ concerns regarding improving GP access in Pembrokeshire,” he added.