In this yesterday’s plenary session in the Welsh Parliament, Samuel Kurtz MS – Senedd Member for Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire – raised his concerns about the ongoing pressures placed on Pembroke Dock’s Argyle Street Medical Centre, with Eluned Morgan MS, Wales’ Minister for Health.
According to the latest statistics, Argyle Medical Group provides around-the-clock care to over 22,000 local patients, making it one of Wales’ five largest GP practices. However, despite the substantial number of patients and the significant geographical area it serves, the service only employs nine registered GPs.
Data shows that there are a total of 2,506 patients per GP at Argyle Street Medical Centre, one of the largest patient to GP ratios in Wales.
In comparison, South Wales’ Sketty and Killay Medical Centre which also serves a similar patient count, has a total number of seventeen GPs employed within the practice, warranting a substantially safer GP to patient ratio.
Speaking about his concerns outside the Siambr, Samuel said:
“The Argyle Medical Group staff have, and continue, to work incredibly hard in difficult circumstances providing care for their patients. But there remain certain pressures at the surgery which need addressing.
“A surgery of this size, with the type of demographic of patients it serves, needs better targeted support in recruiting GPs, and other health care professionals, from the Welsh Government.
“There is a clear lack of ambition from the Welsh Government in trying to recruit people to rural areas of west Wales, increasing pressures on our services.
“Given my question to the Health Minister, I was hoping she would use the opportunity to outline her commitment to improving health services in Pembroke Dock and across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire.
“Sadly, we learnt little about what is to be done – I will continue to speak up for the surgery and its patients to ensure they both get the support and care they deserve.”
