December 04, 2025 - 130 views
Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has warned that delays for hospital treatments in North Wales are putting additional strain on GP surgeries and making it harder for patients to access appointments.
Raising the matter in the Welsh Parliament this week, Darren Millar called on the Cabinet Secretary for Health to take action to address the problems.
He said: "We all have this problem in our constituencies, where people trying to access these appointments are having significant difficulties, particularly in the mornings and for same-day appointments.
"And it seems also not easy to get appointments in advance for check-ups and other things which are less urgent.
"One of the challenges which GPs tell me that they have is that, because of the extremely long waiting times for hospital treatment, they are now having to manage more people, and that's putting more pressure on appointments in the community.
"Can I ask you for an update on what's being done to tackle this issue, particularly in respect of North Wales? We know that the waiting-time figures are dodgy up there, but, given the extra pressures in North Wales because of those very long waiting times."
In his response, the Cabinet Secretary said the Welsh Government is "working with the health board to make sure that their overall performance, obviously, is improving as part of the escalation arrangements".
Speaking afterwards, Mr. Millar said: "For years I have been calling on the Welsh Government to improve GP access, and yet here I am still regularly being contacted by patients who can't get an appointment with their doctor.
"Lives are being put at risk on a daily basis. This matter needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
