NHS in Wales at 'breaking point' say docs

From direct cremation

- By LOIS MCCARTHY

DOCTORS have warned that Wales' NHS is at “breaking point”, as new figures reveal widespread concern over unsafe staffing levels, rising workloads and a lack of basic resources.

Evidence from the General Medical Council (GMC) have revealed that 81% of doctors in Wales believe NHS staffing is inadequate, compared with 72% across the UK.

Two-thirds (66%) say they work beyond their contracted hours at least once a week, risking burnout and threatening patient safety, while over half (53%) report they do not have access to the equipment or services they need to treat patients, well above the UK average of 44%.

Royal College of Physicians (RCP) vice-president for Wales Dr Hilary Williams said: “Physicians in Wales deliver world-class care, but too often our patients are left waiting in corridors or stuck in the outpatient backlog.

“Without enough doctors, we are left constantly trying to do more, with less - waiting lists won't come down if we don't fix our recruitment crisis and invest in the next generation of doctors.

“Two-thirds of doctors in Wales are working above their contracted hours on a weekly basis - this is the new norm, and, quite frankly, it’s untenable.”

In other findings from the report: