5. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Access to Primary and Community Care Services

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:50 pm on 21 January 2025.

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Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 4:50, 21 January 2025

Cabinet Secretary, of course, the majority of my constituents receive their treatment from providers in England. When I speak to opticians, pharmacists, dentists and GPs, they often tell me about the complexities of dealing with providers in England when it comes to information technology systems in particular; there's a lot of inefficiency in the process as well. I wonder, in terms of what you've outlined today, what considerations you've given to this issue, and what work has gone on in sharing digital platforms.

The other issue, of course, you spoke about is improving access to primary care providers. One of the big issues we have across Wales, particularly in rural Wales, is attracting primary care professionals to come and work in Wales, particularly in rural Wales. Often, the issue raised—it's a historic issue for some time—is the issue with the all-Wales medical performers list, so, one list for Wales. I wonder, since you've been in post, whether you've considered this. Many staff shortages arise from the issue of having GPs, perhaps, being trained somewhere else in England, but not prepared to come to Wales because of the complexities of having to sign up to a different performers list. So, can I ask, also, whether you've considered this, and considered the possibility of working with the UK Government to have one performers list for England and Wales?