Hopes have been raised that a town’s “massive problem” of a lack of GPs can be at least alleviated following the appointment of three new doctors.

Quizzed by county councillors on Tuesday, the health board’s chief executive acknowledged that doctor recruitment was a nationwide rather than purely local issue, but also faced criticism over a historic lack of communication on the local problems.

A loss of GPs saw the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board step in to take over two of Holyhead’s three surgeries in 2019, with the former Cambria and Longford House practices now known as Hwb Iechyd Cybi.

But in a letter now being distributed to residents, it has been confirmed that two new GPs are set to start work in August with a third to follow in January 2022.

Cllr Trefor Lloyd Hughes, quizzing Chief Executive Jo Whitehead during a meeting of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee, said there had been “massive problems” in recruiting GPs into the town.

“My biggest problem is that communication between the health board and patients and surgeries, its almost non-existent,” he said.

“However I have received a copy of the letter that will be going out to all patients, and indeed that is the start of something we can work together on.

“(I’m pleased) there’s moves afoot to try and improve but we have to educate people as well, do they need to see a doctor where a nurse practitioner would be quite able to do the job and take the workload away from the GP?

“Everyone has to work together and if we don’t the health service will end up in tatters, but I would like to know where the health board has been over the past two years before finally getting these doctors in.”

Keith Roberts, a member of the committee and Holyhead Town Council, added he was “encouraged” by the steps being taken but that the hub needed the support of the health board going forward.

Cllr Glyn Haynes added his concern that front line staff at the Hwb were “getting it in the neck” but noted they formed the “backbone of the NHS.”

In response, Jo Whitehead said: “It is the case that its very difficult to recruit GPs generally, its not only a north Wales problem and we certainly have some beautiful parts to live and work.

“Primary care is a challenge in terms of recruitment and retention and not pinning all of our hopes on the medical school as it will be a time away, but the ability to train more doctors and more clinical staff and those future professionals in north Wales, in Welsh if that’s their choice, will undoubtedly help us into the future.”

Meanwhile, the island’s MS has stated his understanding that discussions involving the board and Anglesey Council on securing a specific site for a dedicated health centre in the town have been “constructive,” having consistently proposed the former high street Woolworths store as a potential location.

Having received complaints from patients who have had difficulty accessing services at Hwb Iechyd Cybi, Rhun ap Iorwerth added: “We can now start to look forward to rebuilding services, and I know that all three will be welcomed in Holyhead.

“But the problems of the last two years have shown that we need more than just these appointments to create modern and durable services.”

MP Virginia Crosbie, who’s also met with the practice and health board, added that after being contacted by people waiting too long to see or speak to a doctor, had been assured that a new telephone system able to handle 1,000 calls a day has also been implemented.

“This is excellent news and I would like to thank everyone involved in making sure the practice has more GPs and better systems so that patients can have more confidence one is available to see or speak to them,” she said.

“There is a challenge at the moment in recruiting GP nationally, so against this background, I think the practice has done well.”