Newcastle Emlyn GP says private surgeries like hers can ease pressure on NHS

Newcastle Emlyn doctor Beth Howells tells the BBC how private GP practices like hers can help ease pressure on NHS services

Transcript

00:00 Private health care isn't new. A number of people these days turn to the private sector

00:07 for operations and dental care. But a private GP surgery is certainly uncommon in Wales,

00:14 especially in rural areas. But after nearly 20 years as an NHS GP, Dr Beth Howells left

00:21 the National Health Service and opened her own private surgery in Newcastle Emlyn.

00:26 We've had a higher number of calls, inquiries and indeed appointments booked and people

00:33 seen in the clinic at this early stage than what I had initially envisaged. I think people

00:39 have just felt that they couldn't wait two, three weeks or sometimes longer for a GP appointment

00:44 with their NHS practice.

00:46 She believes that her role as a private GP will take some of the pressure off the NHS.

00:51 I certainly think there will be some sort of expansion. I think that we as a private

00:56 sector can help alleviate the pressures on the NHS.

00:58 At a time when the health service is under pressure, does a private centre like this

01:03 one offer some kind of answer? An opportunity to pay to see a GP.

01:08 You need to see him, you do what you have to.

01:11 So you'd be willing to pay?

01:13 Yes, I'd have to because I'd need to.

01:17 It's a necessity to have your health care so if it's pushed in that direction, us as

01:22 a working class won't have a choice will we?

01:25 BMA Cymru say that doctors leaving the NHS for the private sector was a symptom of chronic

01:31 under-investment in general practice over a number of years, calling on the Welsh Government

01:36 to commit to a reversal of this underfunding.

01:39 The Welsh Government say they provided financial incentives to attract GP trainees to speciality

01:44 training schemes in Mid, North and West Wales.

01:48 They also say they want people to be able to access GP services on the NHS in Wales

01:53 as quickly as possible, and that it's a choice for the individual if they wish to use private

01:58 health care instead.

02:00 As the NHS continues to face pressure, alternative ideas such as this one could become more common

02:06 in the future.

02:07 .