DOCTORS in Wales gave a cautious welcome today to plans for fundamental changes to the role of GPs and transforming health services.

The British Medical Council’s Cymru general practitioners said that the Welsh government plans outlined at a weekend conference had to ensure doctors were paid properly and equipped.

GPC Wales chair Dr Gareth Oelmann said: “Significant pressures have weighed heavily on general practice over the last decade. 

“The pandemic, chronic underfunding, workforce shortages and rising demand for services have placed an enormous strain on the profession. 

“We have been clear that GPs cannot continue along this path without fundamental change,” Dr Oelmann said.

“To sustain general practice in Wales, there needs to be investment in our people, our services and the communities we serve.”

BMA Cymru said that strengthening the role of GPs in Wales would be vital to improve patient healthcare and tackling NHS waiting lists.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said the coming year must be about transforming how health services are delivered to keep care closer to home.

The health secretary was speaking at the Welsh Local Medical Committees Conference at the weekend and said GPs will have a more prominent role in managing waiting lists to cut delays and improve patient flow through the health system

Mr Miles said: “It is vital that we work together to address the pressures in our NHS by improving access patients have to the care they need and the flow through our system.”

BMA Cymru welcomed the offer to work with doctors and said that it looked forward to ensuring GPs are given the tools to thrive.