Responding to the publication of the GMC’s state of medical education and practice report for 2024 Deputy chair of the BMA’s Welsh Council Dr Phil White said:

“Just last week it was reported that over 1,500 patients in Wales are waiting in hospital to be discharged. It is unsurprising then to see that a significantly higher proportion of doctors in Wales (68%) compared to the rest of the UK (57% UK average*) felt bed pressures and the inability to improve patient flow was one of the barriers to providing good care to patients. This is a serious issue which we have brought to the highest levels on many occasions over the years.

“Whilst the report also cited inadequate staffing, workload pressures and bureaucracy as other factors affecting the ability to deliver safe patient care, patient flow appears to be a far greater concern for doctors in Wales compared with colleagues across the UK.

“There is a fundamental lack of joined-up thinking across the Welsh NHS and social care and there is an urgent need for a collaborative approach. The system needs a radical shake-up to create a seamless service between the NHS, social care and community services working in partnership to meet needs of patients effectively, as well as significant investment in the system and the workforce.

“The report also highlights the rising proportion of doctors planning to reduce their hours due to the significant workload pressures. We know that many, overworked and exhausted doctors, are being pushed to do this for the sake of their own health and wellbeing.

“Urgent action is needed to relieve the pressures of the system to improve patient care. This includes a greater focus on and more investment in primary care. We have called on the Welsh Government to urgently address the crisis in general practice by securing a mandate to allow for GMS (general medical services) contract negotiations to start without any further delays**” 

Notes to editors

*GMC report into the state of medical education and practice in the UK.

**GMS Contract negotiations for the 24/25 financial year have been delayed. Last year negotiations for the 23/24 GMS contract failed to reach a conclusion causing deeper cuts to services. See press release.