Over recent months there have been a number of changes in the management of Tenby Surgery. The Hywel Dda University Health Board took over the management some months ago and appointed surgery managers who have been exploring the operation of the practice and begun the introduction of changes.

At its last meeting the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network met with Elaine Lorton, County Director, when the current situation was discussed. Elaine along with the new practice manager, Matthew McGivern, have been instrumental in updating the Network with regard to early changes taking place at the practice. The main aim is to find replacement doctors but in the meantime the Health Board is making every effort to ease current pressures by developing work practices.  

The current medical rota is fully staffed with regular locums, Dr Griffiths and the GP Hub support covering the five mornings per week.  Waits for routine appointments are improving, and 20 minute GP appointments are being provided for some of the most complex patients.

The Practice Nurse vacancy has been filled, with the start date to be agreed but the appointee is going to be working from mid-December to help with cover.

Signposting has been introduced, with Reception staff having been trained in gathering data from patients asking to book ‘same day’ GP appointments by phone, or in person, in order to effectively channel patients quickly into the most appropriate clinician for their problem.   This has increased GP capacity by reducing unnecessary or inappropriate GP appointments.  Patients asking to book at Reception are being offered a private space in which to talk to a Receptionist if desired, and complaints have been minimal.  Any patients who would prefer not to disclose details to a Receptionist are being logged for a telephone call from the GP Hub.

A ‘Practice Newsletter’ was launched this week, which will regularly update patients with regard to developments at the practice.

A ‘Meet the Team’ drop-in event for patients was also held in the Surgery this week. The main aim was to describe some of the changes and seek views on ways forward. The Practice also plans to introduce a new patients panel which will be able to provide a patients’ perspective on surgery matters. More details will be provided soon. Get in touch if interested in participating.

The GP practice is the local foundation of our wonderful health service. It is essential that it is returned to its former status as soon as possible. The new management team has laid a sound foundation for its development and will hopefully continue its efforts. The SEPCHN will work to support the management in its endeavours.