RHUDDLAN Town Council has said it has received positive news about services at a medical clinic which was hit by three GP departures last month.

Healthy Prestatyn/Healthy Rhuddlan Iach, based on Nant Hall Road, Prestatyn, had also been criticised for not allowing more than one person inside its premises at once during weekend clinics.

Councillors had heard from patients on a number of issues, including the retention of an adequate number of GPs, the arrangements for making appointments, and services for people with diabetes. 

These concerns were shared with the representatives from the surgery and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, who agreed to come attend the town council’s meeting to respond to them.

The meeting was also attended by Gareth Davies, Vale of Clwyd MS; and Cllr Bob Murray, the mayor of Prestatyn and Meliden.

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It heard that a number of positive steps are being taken to address the concerns raised. 

In terms of the number of GPs, it was recognised that there is a national shortage and that recruitment into North Wales can often be a problem. 

This is being addressed by measures such as links with nearby surgeries, and a programme to relocate doctors from hospitals to GP surgeries to address the balance between primary and secondary healthcare services. 

Additional GP training will be provided in North Wales, although this is considered a longer-term solution to the problem. 

It was mentioned that people did not always need to be seen by a GP because a range of services are being provided by the nurse practitioners and other health specialists in the team. 

It was also mentioned that there are still problems from the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of increased demand and a backlog of regular checkups for people with chronic conditions. 

The appointments system was discussed, and it was explained that there are a number of options available for people to use. 

It was recognised that making phone-based appointments could be difficult at times, and it was hoped that, if more people used web-based systems, this would release more phone access time for others. 

A call-back facility is also available, while all appointment requests are triaged to ensure that they are prioritised correctly.

In terms of services for people with diabetes, it was explained that these are focussed at Prestatyn’s Seabank Surgery, so as to provide a full range of treatments and support in one location rather than at different sites.

Rhuddlan Mayor, Cllr Mike Kermode, said: “We had a very open and frank discussion with the senior people responsible for providing GP services in Rhuddlan. 

“I was reassured to hear that they are aware of the concerns of their patients are taking positive steps to address them. 

“I recognise that this is happening at a time when there are concerns about GP services across Wales and I hope the work that Healthy Prestatyn are doing will maintain and improve services in our town. 

“We will certainly be having more discussions with them in the future if there continues to be concerns.”