Welsh Conservatives have criticised another delay in the introduction of improved GP opening hours.
Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM has also highlighted a ministerial admission that weekend opening (or ‘enhanced access’) will require funding taken from elsewhere in health board budgets.
In her statement, the minister said: It is the intention to deliver this commitment within existing budgets. There is no additional cost associated with enhanced access between 8.00am and 6.30pm. In relation to enhanced access outside contracted hours, Health Boards will be reviewing the existing spend on a wide range of enhanced services, to ensure it is realigned with this commitment and other key priority areas.
Previously, Ministers have repeatedly claimed the policy would not require additional funding.
As it stands, record-breaking cuts of over half a billion pounds are being imposed on health boards during the next three years.
Mr Millar said:
“I wholeheartedly support making access to GPs easier – but it is clear that this flagship policy is still years away from being implemented and transparency on its cost is completely non-existent.
“Claims that no additional funding would be required have now been revealed as rubbish.
“Weekend opening will need money from elsewhere in health board budgets, which are already being hugely stretched.
“The Minister is robbing Peter to pay Paul and patients will suffer.
“I urge her to look very carefully at the health budget and reverse her slash and burn approach to our NHS.”
