As reported by BBC News, doctors warn that financial pressures are forcing GP practices in Scotland to halt recruitment, despite government pledges to improve access to care
Doctors in Scotland are warning that many GP practices are unable to afford new hires, despite government pledges to improve access to family doctors. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGPs) and the British Medical Association (BMA) have revealed that some practices are freezing recruitment efforts and scaling back the use of temporary staff as they face mounting financial pressures.
The Scottish government has stated it is taking steps to provide additional resources for general practices. Earlier this year, First Minister John Swinney identified investment in community healthcare as one of his top three NHS priorities, aimed at improving access to GPs.
In 2017, the government set a target to recruit 800 new GPs by 2027. However, recent workforce data shows a slight decline in full-time general practitioners, dropping from 3,478 in 2023 to 3,453 in 2024.
Dr Chris Provan, chair of RCGPs in Scotland, warned that GP practices are facing “dire financial headwinds” due to historic underinvestment, inflation, and rising national insurance contributions. The RCGPs is now calling for GPs to be included in the NHS exemption from national insurance charges and for the government to outline a clear workforce plan.
The proportion of the Scottish health budget allocated to general practice has also declined significantly, falling from 11% in 2004 to just 6.5% last year.
The BMA has proposed increasing investment in general practice to 15% of the health budget. According to the union, this would allow GP practices to recruit additional doctors, ensuring the recommended ratio of one GP for every 1,000 patients.
Be the first to comment