THERE IS a 'major issue in the recruitment and retention' of GPs in north east Wales, a health watchdog has warned.

North Wales Community Health Council (NWCHC) has raised concerns over a shortage of GPs in Wrexham and Flintshire.

While it acknowledges that GP shortages is a UK-wide issue, it says the the problem is 'particularly bad' in north east Wales.

The NWCHC, the community’s health services independent watchdog, says increases in tuition fees mean less students are going to medical school at university, increased privatisation, early retirement and a 'performer list', which prevents English GPs working freely in Wales, all add to the problem.

The warning follows the sudden closure of the Bromfield Medical Centre in Mold last week, a practice that catered for roughly 2,000 patients.

The registered patients will now be treated at Glanrafon Medical Centre in Mold, but NWCHC thinks that the surgery will be able to cope with the sudden and steep increase in demand.

Geoff Ryall-Harvey, NWCHC chief officer, said: "Glanrafon Medical Centre thinks it can do it, and we're hopeful that the increase in demand will not leave people at a disadvantage when it comes to treatment."

In Wrexham, the surgery at Forge Road in Southsea, which faced an uncertain future earlier this year, has been transferred to a community interest company with those at Hillcrest and Borras Park.

But the future of Gresford Health Centre remains unclear. It recently featured in an episode of Panorama - titled 'GP's: Why Can't I Get an Appointment' - which was aired on BBC One.

Alyn Family Doctors, which runs the centre, put forward plans to close it but plans submitted by the group were rejected by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board towards the end of 2018.

The plans presented to villagers back in March involve merging the Gresford centre's resources into the two remaining health centres in Llay and Rossett.

Across Wales, 25 GP surgeries have closed between October 2015 and March 2019, according to the British Medical Association.

And another 86 surgeries are said to be "at risk" of closure.

Mr Ryall-Harvey said: "There is a major issue in GP recruitment and retention in north east Wales. While the issue reflects UK-wide problems, it is particularly bad in north east Wales, worse than you'd expect.

"We have urged Welsh Government to allow GPs from England to work freely in Wales. At the moment a performer list prevents that from happening as England has its own list, and so does Wales.

"We think there should be a UK-wide list, as at the moment, GPs from England are having to wait 10-12 weeks for checks to go through, meaning they're not on hand for emergencies, like at the Bromfield."

Mr Ryall-Harvey also cites expensive tuition fees mean less people are studying medicine at university.

He added: "Tuition fees have risen massively in recent years, and there are simply less people studying to be doctors. Also, a lot of those who are studying move abroad once they've finished their training.

"Doctors find that they can work almost wherever they want in the world, and many are leaving UK shores.

"Early retirement, with being a GP being a rigorous and stressful but well paid job, are also an issue, as well other private services qualified GPs are now going down the line of."