A MEDICAL practice that serves two towns has urged patients to “be kind and considerate” to staff amid rising pressure on the surgery.

Builth and Llanwrtyd Group Medical Practice says local health workers are working under “extreme pressures” while trying to treat patients amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Bosses added that some patients are putting pressure on the system by making numerous phone calls.

In a statement, the medical practice said: “We are working very closely with the district nurses, pharmacies, volunteers, health board and other professional to continue to provide a service to the communities.

“Please be aware that the staff of all of the aforementioned groups are working under extreme pressures. Please be kind and considerate to them. Consider if your contact is necessary and if it is, be clear what you want to say.

“A number of patients are making multiple phone calls which is putting pressure on an already stretched system.

“In line with guidelines we have closed the front door. Any patients attending the surgery will do so because it has been deemed necessary by a health professional. As the pandemic progresses we continue to look at alternative ways of working.

“Currently the majority of our staff are still well and working, we thank them for their support in these challenging times.”