Patient safety could be at risk because of a shortage of GPs at Argyle Street surgery in Pembroke Dock, say local politicians.

Simon Hart MP and Angela Burns AM (seen above) have been swamped with complaints from patients in the last few weeks.

The surgery is Wales’ biggest and has vacancies for two GPs.

“Patients have been coming to us with concerns about Argyle Street regularly over the past six years,” said Mr. Hart. “But in the past month, the complaints have gone through the roof.

“I have evidence from one pregnant mum that she had to phone 215 times in order to get through and when someone did finally answer the ’phone, she was told all the appointments had gone for that day. I think that there is a strong risk that patient safety is compromised and I believe it is time the health board stepped in.”

The surgery is by far the largest in Wales, with 25,000 patients and surgeries in Neyland, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock. They are served by 10.75 FTE (full-time equivalent) GPs, but the practice has been trying to recruit two new doctors for the past year.

Fed up patients have started a petition which has been signed by more than 500 people and practice manager Juliet Goldsworthy has recently stepped down from her post.

Mrs. Burns added: “We have been told for years now that they are trying to recruit and the problem is blamed on a national shortage of GPs - but how much longer can they continue like this? I have written to the health board and the practice asking for action many times, but the situation never seems to improve.”