Responding to the latest GP workforce statistics published today, Dr Iain Morrison, Chair of the BMA’s Scottish GP Committee said: 
 
“These figures showing a decline in the size of Scotland’s GP workforce once again demonstrate the huge challenges facing general practice in trying to meet growing demand without the resources and investment required.
“This is having a huge detrimental impact on patients who are facing a struggle to see their GP now, with the demand for GPs continuing to rise as the population continues to age, with more disease prevalence and more treatment options than ever before. 
“While GP vacancy rates have decreased, the workforce has also fallen and we are extremely concerned that this shows practices have had to cut back services and reduce their staffing levels because resources are so stretched. 
“There is no doubt we need more GPs in Scotland to deliver the level of access and services that our patients need. But the gross neglect of general practice over the years means its share of the NHS budget has fallen from 11% in 2004 to 6.5% now. This has directly led to the number of whole time equivalent (WTE) GPs across Scotland receding as we see reflected in the statistics published today.
“There must be a shift of resources to general practice, firstly to restore the allocation of NHS funding to its previous level of 11%, but ultimately this should rise to 15%. This would enable a significant expansion of GP numbers, helping fund an extra 1800 whole-time equivalent GPs across Scotland.
“This would transform access to GPs, but also help ensure practices can provide continuity of care for individuals and allow GPs to have the time and capacity to take on greater work in prevention, which will have a positive impact for patients and across the whole health service.
“We must see immediate action taken to increase direct investment into General Practice – this is absolutely crucial not only for the future of General Practice, but to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NHS.”
 

 

Notes to editors

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