Calls for Inquiry into GP Practices Managed by Private Company Amid Patient Safety Concerns

Demands are being made for an investigation into doctors’ surgeries that are being operated remotely by a private general practitioner management company.Last month, BBC Wales brought to light issues concerning safety, staffing levels, and supply at practices overseen by eHarley Street, which subsequently led to questions being raised in the Senedd.Now, patients, some of whom have terminal illnesses, have reported difficulties in accessing appointments and necessary treatments. The partners who manage these surgeries and eHarley Street stated that they have invested nearly £400,000 into the practices and are dedicated to addressing “challenges.”Katrina Hughes, 69, a terminal cancer patient at Brynmawr Medical Practice in Blaenau Gwent, expressed her fear, saying, “It frightens me – I don’t feel safe,” due to her struggles to secure an appointment or see the same doctor.”There’s no continuity of care at all,” she added. Katrina, whose bone cancer is causing her spine to crumble, feels as though “I haven’t got a doctor.”She was among approximately 100 individuals who attended a public meeting to discuss services at Brynmawr Medical Practice, where many reported difficulties in getting appointments or were awaiting medication and test results. Brynmawr Medical Practice is contracted to two GPs, who are also the same two GPs that operate eHarley Street, a GP management company based in Leicestershire that provides support to nine Welsh practices. Ralph Morgan, 69, a patient at Aberbeeg Medical Practice, which is also managed by eHarley Street, mentioned his struggles with his knees, noting it was “worse in the winter.”The retired postal worker receives treatment for high blood pressure and requires regular knee injections to assist his walking. Ralph has been a patient at Aberbeeg for over 25 years but observed a decline in service since GPs associated with eHarley Street took over.Ralph stated he was informed that the surgery could only provide “12 routine appointments” each week and “does not know” when he can receive his next injection. “I live in the valleys – up hills – it’s a lot easier when you’ve got the knee injections,” he explained.”Now I’m being denied it – I feel trapped.” Mr. Morgan is seeking an investigation by the Welsh government and has lodged a complaint with the Aneurin Bevan health board.He insisted that an investigation should commence “immediately.” Sian Squires, 32, from Torfaen, described the process of obtaining an appointment at eHarley Street’s Pontypool Medical Centre as “terrible.”She was “disgusted” by the support her uncle, Stephen, 70, received before his death in September and faced challenges securing an appointment for her nine-year-old son, Noah, despite his medical notes indicating a need for “emergency appointments.” “I got told five, six times, we’re really sorry we’ve only got one doctor,” she recounted. Last month, BBC Wales disclosed that locum doctors, who temporarily fill GP rotas, had declined to work at Welsh practices linked to eHarley Street, claiming they were collectively owed approximately £250,000 in unpaid wages. The partners who operate the surgeries and eHarley Street asserted that timely care for patients “remains a top priority” and that they were “offering, on average, one session of clinician time per 200 patients,” which was the “agreed level of clinical cover.”They categorically denied the concerns raised last month. The health board indicated it had “enhanced monitoring arrangements in place” and would continue to undertake “further work.” Welsh surgeries linked to eHarley Street are: There are also 15 practices in England, and the company’s website states that its team of experts believes in “liberating” medical professionals from “managerial burden” to provide “high standards of patient care.” “We’ve still not been paid,” said Dr. Samantha Jenkins, who is owed nearly £10,000 for work at the Brynmawr and Blaenavon practices; she supported calls for an inquiry.She and other doctors intend to use the small claims court to recover their wages. Patients and doctors have also questioned the due diligence performed by the health board prior to awarding the GP contracts. The partners who run the surgeries and eHarley Street accused locum agencies of “driving up prices to unsustainable levels” in Wales, but stated there was a plan “to ensure all overdue payments are made in full.”They reported an investment of £383,000 in the Welsh practices but still faced “eye watering” losses. Alun Davies, a Member of the Senedd (MS) representing Blaenau Gwent, recently brought this issue to the Welsh Parliament.He stated his priority was “patient safety” but believes an inquiry should investigate “why this company is failing our people” and feels either the Welsh government or the health committee “have a responsibility to look into this.” Mr. Davies described the non-payment of GPs as “appalling” and called for the reinstatement of Amy McCrystal, the practice manager at Brynmawr Medical Practice, who was made redundant without warning. Delyth Jewell, MS for South Wales East, also sought answers from the Welsh government after concerns were brought to her attention regarding the Brynmawr practice and Bryntirion surgery in Bargoed. The partners who run the surgeries and eHarley Street claimed that the comments made by politicians were “untrue” and stated they had “reached out” to local councillors. In a statement from their solicitors, the partners who run the surgeries and eHarley Street said they operated several Welsh GP practices which “came under their management through open application processes.”They acknowledged facing “significant financial constraints” but affirmed their “committed to addressing these challenges” to ensure practices “continue to provide high-quality care to patients while maintaining a sustainable working environment for staff.” The Welsh government stated it was aware of the concerns and that the health board “continues to provide support and is in close contact with the managers and GP partners to seek assurances on compliance with their contract.” The health board clarified that it did not hold any General Medical Services (GMS) contracts with e-Harley Street, and all GMS contracts within its area were held with named GPs.It confirmed its awareness of concerns and was “meeting regularly with the GP partners to ensure they are operating in line with their contractual obligations.” It added: “The health board has already undertaken focused reviews to seek immediate assurances as part of the enhanced monitoring arrangements in place and we are continuing to do further work in light of the local concerns that have been raised.”It concluded: “We are committed to working with and supporting our GP partnerships to provide sustainable and reliable services for our population.”