General practice and primary care in Wales has reached a critical point, with \u201cbold action\u201d needed to ensure that services can be delivered closer to people\u2019s homes.<\/p>\n
That is the view of the Senedd\u2019s Health and Social Care Committee, which has today published a new report urging the incoming Welsh Government to ensure people have timely access to strong and well-resourced preventative services in their community.<\/p>\n
It stresses that this will require a carefully managed transition, with a commitment to double funding for a period of time.<\/p>\n
A long\u2011term prevention\u2011focused model<\/p>\n
The committee found that unless the NHS prioritises prevention, demand will continue to outstrip capacity.<\/p>\n
The report argues that investing in general practice is one of the most effective ways to deliver preventative care, improve management of long-term conditions, and reduce avoidable hospital admissions. However, years of underinvestment and a declining GP workforce threaten progress.<\/p>\n
During the committee\u2019s inquiry members heard that general practice is in decline across Wales due to chronic underinvestment, a growing number of practices closing and a \u201cbeleaguered workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n
John Williams, a Practice Manager from Wrexham, told the committee that \u201cgeneral practice doesn\u2019t seem to be seen, particularly within health boards, as a possible solution to other problems it\u2019s facing.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that whilst GP practices are struggling, the sector has \u201chuge expertise that could be harnessed\u201d if provided with proper resources and a contract to enable this.<\/p>\n
\u201c8am scramble\u201d<\/p>\n
The morning rush for appointments remains one of the biggest frustrations for the public.<\/p>\n
The report notes that while the First Minister has been \u201cquoted as saying that people should no longer be waiting on hold at 8am every day to get GP appointments\u201d, the 8am phone rush remains a \u201ccommon frustration\u201d.<\/p>\n
Age Cymru told the committee that older people are being left without access to the care they need due to the current system, while younger people said it was \u201cinaccessible\u201d for those with commitments.<\/p>\n
Lack of continuity, short appointment times and overwhelming demand also contribute to the negative public perception.<\/p>\n
Dr Towner, a GP in Cardiff said the 8am rush could be avoided if the sector was funded properly and able to recruit more staff.<\/p>\n
The Committee is calling on the incoming Welsh Government to strengthen access standards, reduce reliance on time-limited booking windows, and rebuild trust by restoring continuity and communication with patients.<\/p>\n
Reform of the GP funding formula<\/p>\n
The funding formula used to allocate core funding to GP practices \u2013 the Carr-Hill model \u2013 no longer reflects the needs of the Welsh population, the committee found.<\/p>\n
The report describes the existing funding model as outdated and poorly aligned with the \u201chealthcare needs of the Welsh population.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whilst the committee acknowledges that formula changes alone will not address the need for wider investment, a review into the funding system is \u201clong overdue.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was also revealed that practices serving the most deprived communities receive significantly less funding despite higher levels of illness and greater demand.<\/p>\n
The Committee warns that continuing with the current formula risks deepening inequalities and undermining the sustainability of general practice. It calls on the incoming Welsh Government to commit to reforming the formula, and publish the timescales for doing so.<\/p>\n
Evidence from professionals<\/p>\n
Over the course of its inquiry, the Committee took evidence from GPs, practice nurses, practice managers and other health professionals, and from representative bodies such as the British Medical Association (BMA) and Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).<\/p>\n
Dr Rowena Christmas MBE, Chair of RCGP Cymru Wales said: \u201cThis inquiry has been a valuable opportunity to consider how people experience general practice and what practical steps the government can take to support GPs to deliver meaningful continuity of care which works for our patients.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes sense for the patient, the wider NHS and the taxpayer to invest in general practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Gareth Oelmann, chair of the BMA\u2019s Welsh GP Committee said: \u201cBMA Cymru Wales valued the opportunity to share the challenges facing general practice in Wales with the committee, and we welcome the publication of the report.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to engaging constructively with the incoming Welsh Government to secure the long\u2011term sustainability of general practice and to help deliver the shared aims of our Save Our Surgeries campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chair of the Senedd\u2019s Health and Social Care Committee, Peter Fox MS, said: \u201cGeneral practice and primary care are the cornerstone of our NHS. If we are to ease the growing pressures across the whole health system, we must shift towards prevention and ensure people can access services closer to home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis means investing in care that helps people stay well and receive treatment earlier in their communities, but doing so in a way that is safe, planned, and properly supported.<\/p>\n
\u201cDelivering a truly community\u2011focused model will require bold action, and we must restore patients\u2019 trust in their local services. The message is clear, we cannot resolve the pressures in our hospitals unless we strengthen general practice and primary care.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report\u2019s key recommendations include:<\/p>\n
A phased shift of selected services into primary and community care, supported by a period of dual\u2011funding to ensure safety and continuity.
\nA strengthened focus on prevention, with general practice at the centre.
\nUrgent review of the GP funding formula (Carr\u2011Hill) with clear timelines for reform.
\nImproved GP access standards, reducing reliance on the \u201c8am scramble\u201d.
\nA national workforce plan to grow and retain the workforce.<\/p>\n
The report urges the incoming Welsh Government to act decisively to ensure general practice is properly supported to deliver the care people need \u2013 now and for the future.<\/p>\n
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