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The number of GPs working in Wales is at its lowest level in a decade and if the trend continues the service will become unsustainable.

That is according to new data from the Royal College of GPs which claims the workforce needs a major boost to prevent the service from reaching “tipping point”.

In 2017-18, there were 1,926 GPs employed in Wales, excluding locums, retainers and registrars.

That was 100 less than the peak in 2013-14 of 2,026 – and is the lowest since 1,882 in 2006-7.

Between 2016 and 2017 alone, the number fell from 2,009 to 1,926, a drop of 83 GPs or 4.1%.

In response, the Welsh Government said a more “complete measure” of GP numbers would include locums, retainers and registrars.

RCGP Wales claims the fall in the number of GPs comes at a time when demand for general practice continues to rise as a result of a growing population.

The organisation says general practice services are now coming under major strain and this is having an impact on GPs’ ability to deliver the quality of care that patients need and deserve.

Dr Rebecca Payne, RCGP chairwoman for Wales, said: “The news that workforce numbers have fallen is very disappointing for GPs and for patients.

“Workforce shortages are already being felt across Wales, there are fewer GPs to cope with rising demand and patients are having to wait longer to see their GP.

"The situation is not sustainable. General practice can be a rewarding and fulfilling profession but the workforce is increasingly stretched for some GPs the pressure is becoming too much.

“It is imperative that the Welsh Government takes urgent action to boost the GP workforce and expand the number of other healthcare professionals working in general practice.”

Shadow Health Secretary Angela Burns said that GPs had been warning of a recruitment crisis for years.

She said: “The Welsh Labour Government’s failure to heed warnings from organisations like the BMA has led to a serious crisis in GP recruitment and retention.

“Not only are they working under considerable pressure, they have also been burdened with the increasing cost of medical insurance. GPs have been warning of a crisis for years, and the issue of reforming their contracts continues to cast a long shadow over the profession.

“These new figures further emphasise the need for systemic, long-term planning of the Welsh NHS, including action to improve recruitment and retention initiatives for frontline staff.

“The Health Secretary continues to champion the ‘Train. Work. Live’ campaign, but it’s fast becoming clear that his department is not only failing to recruit more GPs – it’s failing to support those already working here in Wales.”

Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth says the latest data is further evidence of Welsh Labour’s “incompetence” over doctor training and recruitment.

He claims the figures were a reminder of the need for a far more concerted effort to train doctors, including new home-grown doctors.

“Yet again we have a reminder that Labour’s failure to take doctor recruitment seriously is creating a crisis that if not addressed will jeopardise health service delivery in many parts of Wales,” he said. “These GP shortages have been predicted for years, with the numbers approaching retirement being highlighted every year, and the stress levels that cause burnout constantly highlighted. This year’s decline could just be the start of a wider fall – it’s already showing we have fewer GPs than 10 years ago.

“The Welsh Government, on their website, are claiming that many of those who have left have become locums – as if that means we shouldn’t worry about this fall in GPs. The complacency expressed about this is breathtaking. Locums are more expensive than permanent staff, and are likely to be working fewer hours.

“It’s also going to make it difficult for people to see their GP when they need to, which creates pressure on A&E and partly explains why we’ve seen the worst performance this winter.

“With Brexit, burnout and retirements putting our health workforce at risk, it’s quite clear we need a plan to train and recruit home grown doctors.

“Such a plan must include increasing training places and the development of Medical Training at Bangor, an initiative which Plaid Cymru is driving, which we secured money for through Budget negotiation, but to which the Labour government is being far too resistant.”

In response, a Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “As the statistical release makes clear, a more complete measure of GPs in Wales is to include all GP practitioners, locums, retainers and registrars.

“Using this method shows there are only 8 (0.3%) fewer GPs than 2016.

“Since the launch of our ‘Train Work Live’ campaign, we have overfilled GP training places in Wales for the first time. We have also filled training places in areas that have been traditionally hard to recruit to.”