Cash-strapped Hywel Dda Health Board overspent its budget for managing GP practices by more than £1m in the last financial year, figures have revealed.

The health board has had to step in to directly manage several GP practices in recent years, after some surgeries withdrew from contracts.

But BMA Cymru has warned that the health board directly managing surgeries “is not sustainable”.

The health board said it is already hoping to transfer back managed surgeries to independent contractors.

The figures show that in 2017/18, Hywel Dda overspent by £1.1m on its budget for directly managed GP practices, with only Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board facing a larger overspend at £1.3m.

The BMA has said the overspend is because the directly managed surgeries are heavily reliant on locum sessional GPs and salaried GPs.

Dr Charlotte Jones, the chair of the BMA’s Welsh GPs Committee, said: “These figures confirm what we have been saying for some time. The cost of operating directly managed practices is not sustainable.

“BMA Cymru Wales has always been clear that the most cost-effective way of providing primary care services is via the independent contractor model providing GMS services.

“It is better for patients, providing them with the continuity of care they deserve and provides better value-for-month to health boards and ultimately the taxpayer.

“We know that health boards are actively seeking to return practices to GMS status and this is something we welcome.

“However, we cannot overlook the fact that there are still practices in Wales who are at risk and are considering or have handed back their contract.”

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