Cole-Hamilton calls for swift local access to a GP

Responding to a new report from the Auditor General for Scotland which warns that the Scottish Government’s GP plan is failing to deliver, the estimated number of whole-time equivalent GPs has fallen, spending on general practice as a proportion of overall NHS spending has fallen in recent years, it is unlikely to hit its target of 800 more GPs by 2027 and proposals to support GP teams with more nurses, physiotherapists and other specialists have moved more slowly than planned, Scottish Liberal democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“Right now, GPs feel burnt out, overwhelmed and under immense pressure. There’s no real incentive for them to stay and if the chance comes to leave, they’re keen to take it.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have repeatedly urged SNP ministers to address the crisis in primary care. Our efforts have secured £14 million more for general practice but as this report makes clear there is a lot more that needs to be done.

“Now, the Scottish Government must ensure this money is spent on measures that will help, such as recruiting specialists in pharmacy, physiotherapy and mental health to work alongside GPs. That’s how we can ease their workloads, make it easier for them to see patients and get more people swift access to the local health care they need.”