Scotland: New GP contract ‘will cut doctors’ workload’

CREDIT: This story was first seen in the Clydebank Post

Clydebank and north-west Glasgow GPs are to get a new contract with the Scottish government, the Clydebank Post reports.

The British Medical Association will implement the proposed new contract after 71.5 per cent said they were in favour of the deal to reduce workload and improve recruitment.

Although concerns were raised by rural doctors, the agreement will start from April 1.

Dr Alan McDevitt, Clydebank GP and chairman of the BMA’s Scottish GP committee, said: “I truly believe that this contract offers stability and security of funding for practices in Scotland and will help to reduce the pressures of GP workload and improve GP recruitment and retention.

“This contract offers something to GP practices in every part of Scotland and I hope that young doctors will be encouraged by the direction we are going in to choose a career in general practice.”

The proposals, including £100 million in funding from the Scottish Government, were launched in Clydebank in November.

Health secretary Shona Robison said: “This new contract, which is a historic joint agreement between the Scottish Government and the BMA, will ensure that GPs are able to spend more time with patients and less time on bureaucracy.

“It will cut doctors’ overall workload and make general practice an even more attractive career prospect.”

Dr Carey Lunan, chairwoman of the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland chairwoman, said: “It is no secret that general practice in Scotland has been facing mounting challenges for some time, compounded by an ever-increasing workload and a reducing workforce.

“The launch of the new contract and the polling of the profession has not been without its challenges and many GPs, particularly in remote and rural and in deprived urban practices, have raised concerns about the impact of the proposed changes and how this will affect delivery of patient care in their communities.

“However, many have also recognised the opportunities that this contract potentially offers to sustain and rebuild the profession that is at crisis point in many areas across the country.”

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