Cole-Hamilton: World-class mental health services are key to fast access to GPs

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton today said that his party will tackle the mental health crisis head-on to get everyone fast access to their GP, after official figures revealed that people are struggling to access care swiftly.  

Earlier today, Alex was practicing archery as he focused his aim on SNP seats in huge swathes of Scotland. He highlighted how improving access to mental health services could lessen the load on GPs and help get everyone fast access to the best care.

It comes as the Health and Care Experience Survey 2023/24 found that:

• Only 69% of people rated their overall experience of their General Practice as good or excellent, 10% lower than in 2019/20;
• The percentage of people receiving face-to-face appointments is down 25% compared to 2019/20;
• The proportion of people finding it easy or very easy to contact their GP in the way they wanted has declined since 2017/18; 
• Over a third of people rated the arrangements to speak to a mental health professional as poor or very poor.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“These figures reflect the stark challenges facing patients and GP surgeries in every corner of Scotland. I’ve met GPs who have racked up nearly 100 separate contacts with patients in a single day. Some patients are having to call their surgeries hundreds of times to try and get an appointment.

“The SNP government has decimated local health services and brought the NHS to its knees.

“Getting you fast access to GPs and a wider range of skilled staff locally is at the heart of the Liberal Democrat offer to voters.

“We would ease the pressures on GPs by putting a wider range of specialists into local teams. We would create world-class mental health services by trebling the tax paid by the social media giants, who have caused so much of the problem.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are focusing our aim on getting the SNP out of power and putting what matters first. Our local champions will be relentless when it comes to getting you the care you need close to home.”