A new mother has encountered difficulties registering her baby daughter with her local GP due to recent changes in the practice’s catchment area.
Jordan Wynne, 31, from Saltney Ferry, Flintshire, received maternity care and midwife services from Saltney Surgery, where her older daughter is also registered. However, when she attempted to register her newborn, Stormi, she was informed that her home, located about a mile away, is now outside the surgery’s catchment area. The surgery is also not accepting new patients at this time.
Ms. Wynne has been unable to find a GP for Stormi at any other practice in Deeside due to similar boundary restrictions. Although Councillor Jason Shallcross assisted in securing a temporary spot for Stormi at Lache Surgery in Chester, the practice has indicated that this arrangement cannot be permanent because Ms. Wynne does not reside within its catchment area.
Stormi, who was born four weeks ago, has been readmitted to the hospital twice for an eye infection and reflux. “It has been so stressful,” Ms. Wynne said. “I feel like all I’ve done for the past four weeks is try to find a doctor for my baby when I should be enjoying time with her. Every practice I’ve contacted has turned me away.”
Residents on Ewart Street and nearby North Street are also facing similar issues due to the boundary changes.
Councillors Jason Shallcross and Richard Lloyd expressed relief that a temporary solution has been found but emphasized the need for a long-term resolution. “We don’t want any of our residents to experience what Jordan and her family have gone through in trying to register their newborn baby at a local medical practice,” they said.
The Saltney Surgery, part of the Stables Medical Practice in Hawarden, has been asked for a comment. Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board’s Director of Primary Care Contracting and Commissioning, Lynne Joannou, acknowledged the access issues and stated that efforts are underway to address them. “We are working with partners to review the situation to ensure that local residents have access to GP services,” she said.
The Welsh Government assured that “no patient in Wales should be without access to a GP.” The NHS has also been approached for a statement.
