Doctors have warned that Wales is facing a critical shortage of GPs as it emerged that one in five of them is over 55. In parts of the South Wales Valleys, up to 40% of GPs are reaching retirement age with few signs of younger doctors eager to take over their jobs.
Figures published by the Welsh Assembly Government reveal that 21.5% of GPs in Wales are now 55 or over but the average age of doctors leaving the profession is 52 for men and 46 for women. They also reveal that the three-month vacancy rate for GPs has risen dramatically in the past year.
Commenting on the figures, Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Peter Black said: “These statistics show is that there is a significant number of GPs who are entering the phase of their life when they will be looking at retirement and there are fewer younger GPs to replace them.
“This is concerning, particularly for areas such as Merthyr Tydfil where almost half their GPs are aged 55 or over.”
“While this does not present an immediate problem, if it remains un-tackled, then in a few years several parts of Wales could see a significant shortage in the number of practising GPs.
“This is a problem that affects Scotland, England and Northern Ireland as well as Wales, so there is potential for a UK-wide shortage if action is not taken now.
“The Welsh Assembly Government is putting more emphasis on primary care and yet is failing to grow the number of GPs or to plan sufficiently to replace those who will be retiring within the next 10 years.
“That is bad planning and contradicts the Government’s own strategy”
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