Why this GP accepted partnership in Rhondda practice

A newly-appointed GP in Rhondda has been made a partner in a growing Treorchy practice.

Dr Rachel Bennett, 35, joined  the Forest View Medical Centre as a salaried GP just over a year ago.

Now she has taken on the additional responsibilities of  running the business of the medical centre, alongside the four other partners.

“I came in as a newly-qualified, salaried GP, after completing my GP training in Tonyrefail,” she said.

“I came here all fresh-faced and enthusiastic and I have thoroughly enjoyed it and so I decided to stay.

“Everyone here was very welcoming, both staff and patients, and I feel that professionally I have developed both clinically and non-clinically. And I have been supported to do that, which is great.

"I feel I can make a difference here in Treorchy. I can provide continuity of care for the patients and their families. 

“It is a challenging area to work as there is high demand for good medical care.

“But I came into medicine to help people at the end of the day and I feel we can do that here.

"To know that you have made a difference to peoples’ health and wellbeing is very rewarding."

Dr Bennett came into general practice after doing her training part-time over a number of years as she brought up her three boys.

“It’s been nice to go full time and throw myself into it. I have never wanted to work as a locum. I wanted to have consistency and stay in one place and get to know the people I care for. I feel this continuity is good for the patient and the doctor."

One project Dr Bennett is now involved in ’Grow Rhondda’ which aims to help patients with low self esteem and mild mental health issues.

Grow Rhondda will create gardens at Ysbyty George Thomas where people can grow flowers and vegetables as relaxation and therapy.

This type of ‘social prescribing’ has been found to be of benefit and the project will be trialled in Rhondda for 12 months.

Originally from Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan, Dr Bennett qualified from Cardiff School of Medicine in 2005.

She was a junior doctor at Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant, and Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, before GP training in practices in Rhondda.

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