eHarley Street has handed back four more contracts in Wales due to financial challenges, Pulse reports.
Contracts for Aberbeeg Medical Centre, Blaenavon Medical Practice, Bryntirion Surgery and Tredegar Medical Practice would now be handed back with the health board covering two from 1 March and the other two from 1 April.
Last month the same provider handed back a contract at Brynmawr Practice. At the time more than 40 GPs were said to be affected by issues related to the company.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said the issue was ‘something we should be deeply concerned about’.
The news emerged as GP Online reports that GP locum rates have fallen across the UK in the last 12 months.
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, said: “Safety and quality are the two standards by which every practice is required to abide, yet despite the significant resources being spent by the NHS monitor practices, it was ultimately the concerns of GP locums that has led to these practices handing back their contracts.
“And I’m pleased to see the Welsh Government’s intervention here at a time when the sessional GP workforce should be making national news.
“Our top priority is for these GPs to be recompensed as soon as possible, and our advice for them is to ensure their LMC is fully aware, and armed with all invoices and pension forms saved from a platform like LocumDeck.”
