Welsh Government
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New service to ensure better health and wellbeing for Wales’ GPs
GPs in Wales are now able to access health board’s occupational health services thanks to a £200,000 investment from the Welsh Government, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.
From this month, GPs are able to access the same occupational health services that are available to directly employed NHS staff in their health board area, including time with an occupational health consultant and a range of wellbeing and health services.
Extending the availability of occupational health services to all GPs was a commitment in the Welsh Government’s primary care workforce plan, which published in November 2015.
The development complements existing investment in the Health for Health Professionals Service, which is available to all doctors in Wales and provides an improved health and wellbeing offer for all GPs in Wales.
The extension of occupational health services is one element of a wider review of how current occupational health services can be delivered more effectively and in line with the principles of prudent healthcare.
The decision to extend existing occupational health services to GPs means their needs – and those of wider primary care teams – will be considered as part of this national, whole-system approach to occupational health as it develops.
Professor Drakeford said:
“I very much value the work GPs do to care for people across Wales. In return, I want to ensure GPs have access to services which ensure their health and wellbeing needs are taken care of.
“We already invest in the Health for Health Professionals service for all doctors in Wales and this additional £200,000 investment ensures all GPs will have access to comprehensive occupational health and wellbeing services.”
Dr Charlotte Jones, chair of GPC Wales said:
“This is a welcome step in the right direction, something that GPC Wales has long called for.
“Occupational Health Services are a crucial part of ensuring that the health of the workforce is optimised and maintained by enabling those with health problems or disabilities to remain in work with appropriate adjustments or, where there are severe and long-term health issues, to fairly leave employment.
“GPC Wales is looking forward to receiving the findings of the wider review, and has already recommended to Welsh Government that the service should be extended to incorporate the entire primary care team.”
Dr Jane Fenton-May, Vice Chair Policy and Public Affairs commented:
“GPs are working harder than ever to meet increasing patient demand with reduced resources. Our ageing and growing population means that we are holding more consultations and unrelenting workload pressure undoubtedly puts our physical and mental health at risk.
“Fatigue and stress among GPs is increasing, and this could have a detrimental impact on the care that our patients receive. Better access for GPs to occupational health services is a necessary, positive step forward – one that the College has called for.”
