DOCTORS threatened strike action today unless the Welsh government provides an urgent rescue package, as GPs in Wales warn they cannot meet demand and ensure patient safety.

A BMA Cymru Wales survey has revealed that 91 per cent of GPs are routinely unable to meet patient demand due to unsustainably high workloads affecting appointment availability, with 87 per cent fearing an impact on patient safety. 

There are 100 fewer surgeries for patients to turn to and GPs are seeing up to 35 per cent more patients each, which the union claims is causing unsustainably high workloads and burnout with doctors forced to work less than full-time to survive.

BMA Cymru’s Dr Gareth Oelmann said: “With 95 per cent of GP respondents to the survey telling us they feel negatively about the future of the service and some only giving it a year to survive, inaction is not an option.

“I’m afraid without a fairer portion of NHS funding, the situation is grave, and if general practice fails, the rest of the NHS will follow.”

Earlier this month Dr Oelmann wrote to the First Minister requesting immediate action on the delay to the 2024/25 contract negotiations, saying: “We are now actively evaluating all available options in the event of a dispute.”

A Welsh government spokesperson said: “We are investing in new ways for people to access primary care services, including community pharmacy and the 111 helpline, to help relieve some of that pressure.

“Our investment in GP services has been increasing year on year — we invested an extra £20 million last year, on top of £12m over three years to support practices to improve access to services.”