THE BMA’s Welsh GP committee has voted to accept the revised 24/25 GMS (General Medical Services) contract offer proposed by the Welsh Government after 99% of GPs in Wales voted overwhelmingly to reject the original offer in December  

The committee was presented with a significantly improved offer from the Welsh Government in January, marking a positive turn in the contract negotiations. This was a direct response to the overwhelming contract referendum result, which saw a record number of GPs in Wales join the BMA.  

The revised offer, which includes an additional but non-recurrent £23 million practice stabilisation payment, now brings the total additional investment for the 24/25 financial year to £52.1 million. This will help GPs deliver vital services to their communities, providing greater stability to practices, patients and staff. 

 The revised offer ensures fair remuneration for all practice staff, including GP partners and salaried GPs. It realises the DDRB (doctors and dentists pay review body) recommendation of a 6% pay uplift. 

Dr Gareth Oelmann, chair of the BMA’s Welsh GP committee, stated: “As a committee, we voted unanimously to accept the Welsh Government’s revised offer on the basis that this significant uplift will provide GPs with greater stability in the immediate term given the challenging circumstances practices find themselves in. 

“We are pleased that the Welsh Government swiftly grasped the strength of feeling amongst the profession and took decisive action by providing a credible offer which we hope will provide GPs with much-needed resources to deliver vital care to patients. 

“We acknowledge that this settlement does not resolve every issue, and we have reservations about non-recurrent funding given the awareness of upcoming unavoidable costs from the start of the financial year. Nevertheless, it provides a solid foundation we can build upon in the next round of negotiations for the 25/26 contract; we have assurances from the Welsh Government that this will take place as early as possible. 

“Thank you to everyone who voted in the contract referendum and for sharing your experiences. Our collective resolve has delivered a fairer deal for general practice, and we will continue to use this mandate to improve GP services for everyone across Wales.” 

A TEENAGER who stabbed three people at a Carmarthenshire school told police she wanted “more eyes on her” as the incident would be reported in the news, a jury has heard.

Teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, along with a pupil, were injured in the attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Ammanford, on April 24, 2024.

The 14-year-old girl, who cannot be named due to her age, has admitted carrying out the triple stabbing but denies three counts of attempted murder.

On the fourth day of the trial at Swansea Crown Court, the jury was shown bodycam footage from a police officer. In the video, the girl is seen sitting in a police vehicle, asking: “Are they going to die?”

‘One way to be a celebrity’

She then added: “I’ve had loads of eyes on me today. Sooner or later, I’m sure this is going to be on the news, so even more people will be looking at me.

“That’s one way to be a celebrity.”

The court heard that she admitted stabbing the pupil while in the police vehicle, saying “oopsies” afterwards.

‘Cold’ demeanour

A video of her arrest was also shown, with a Dyfed-Powys Police officer describing her demeanour as “cold” in a witness statement.

The jury was shown drawings found in the teenager’s notebooks, including one featuring the injured pupil’s name surrounded by words such as “burning” and “death”. Other phrases included, “Why do I want to kill others just as much as I want to kill myself?” and “Why do I feel nothing but hate?”

One entry read: “I feel like I’m going to commit a crime of a lifetime.”

Another drawing, titled “Mrs Frogface Elias,” was also shown to the court.

Injuries and bloodshed

The jury was presented with images of the injuries suffered by the victims. Prosecution barrister William Hughes KC described a wound to Ms Hopkin’s neck, while the wounds suffered by Ms Elias and the pupil were described as “superficial”.

Witness statements from emergency workers described a “considerable amount of blood on the floor” around Ms Hopkin.

The trial continues.

LOCAL MS Samuel Kurtz has warned that the Welsh Government’s latest approach to NHS dentistry could worsen access to vital dental care, leaving millions in Wales struggling to secure treatment.

More than 1.5 million people in Wales are currently unable to register with an NHS dentist, with many facing years-long waits for treatment. Kurtz, MS for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said the crisis was one of the most pressing concerns raised by his constituents.

‘The system is failing’

“The system is failing,” Kurtz said. “Patients are left in pain, dentists are overwhelmed, and public trust in NHS dentistry is eroding—all while the Welsh Labour Government sits back and watches this crisis unfold.”

At the heart of the issue is the government’s offer of a 6% funding increase, tied to a mandatory reform programme that has drawn fierce criticism from dental professionals. The British Dental Association (BDA) has warned that the conditions attached could drive even more dentists out of the NHS, deepening the crisis.

Kurtz called for urgent intervention, saying: “With more dentists handing back NHS contracts, it’s clear the system isn’t working. This latest move risks delivering the final blow to NHS dentistry in Wales.”

He urged the government to rethink its approach, adding: “The Welsh Government must work with, not against, dentists to deliver meaningful reform, tackle patient backlogs, and ensure access to dental care improves—not deteriorates further.”

‘A spectacular display of bad faith’

Welsh General Dental Practice Chair Russell Gidney also condemned the government’s approach.

“This is a spectacular display of bad faith from the Welsh Government,” he said. “The sole authors of record-breaking delays on pay are based in Cardiff Bay. For the first time, ministers have sought to tie the hands of demoralised dentists.”

He criticised the decision to make pay rises conditional on signing up for changes that could undermine the service.

“This forces colleagues to sign up to a deal that fails to keep pace with soaring costs,” he added. “It should come as little surprise to the Welsh Government that no health professional is going to roll over and welcome a pay cut.”

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