The pressure on the NHS can be alleviated with the help of private healthcare services, according to a GP. Dr. Beth Howells recently opened her own private GP surgery on the border of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, following nearly 20 years of working in the NHS. While GP services continue to be a pressure point, she believes there will be an expansion of private primary healthcare providers in Wales.
Dr. Howells believes there will be a role for additional services due to population expansion and the fact that people are living longer. Waiting times could be reduced by using private healthcare services for non-threatening conditions, according to Dr. Howells. Last year, she relinquished her NHS contract and initiated her own surgery located in Newcastle Emlyn. The implication of hospital overcrowding and clinician burnout is that the Welsh NHS struggles to recruit and retain GPs.
Nurse Neris Davies decided to switch to the private sector after being an NHS worker for over 32 years. She claims that she felt unhappy and could never deliver her best work as a result of the constant pressure. If improvements in waiting time care and support during the pandemic are implemented, the Welsh NHS can avoid becoming less accessible for those who cannot afford private healthcare services. Furthermore, it is imperative for the Welsh government to invest in general practice to make it more attractive to GPs.
While some people are interested in paying for private GP services, others are less convinced. Alex Baker, for instance, said: “If it was life or death and you can’t get to A&E and there’s a GP you have to see. But if it’s for something that isn’t major, then no.” On the other hand, Iris Rush, believes that if you need to see the doctor, you will pay for it. Despite the varying opinions, the government has a duty to ensure that people can access GP services quickly and efficiently
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