Practices are in “distress” and GPs are leaving due to “constant bashing” in Scotland

As reported by STV News, a GP in Glasgow has reported on the “distress” felt in GP surgeries causing young doctors to leave the profession

Dr Richard Groden took offence to claims by local councillors that residents could not get appointments, insisting that staff in practices are working “extremely hard” but that the “volume” is too intense.

A Labour councillor had labelled the waiting time for face-to-face appointments as a “disaster”.

Dr Groden said: “I work closely with practices across the city who are in distress because they can’t recruit doctors.

“There are younger doctors leaving general practice because of the constant GP bashing that has been going on in the press during the period of COVID, because of the pressure they are under.”

Clinical directors met last week to discuss GP sustainability.

Speaking at a meeting of Glasgow’s Integration Joint Board (IJB), Councillor Elaine McDougall, had said: “face-to-faceI hear from a number of my constituents that waiting times, trying to get a face-to-face appointment with a GP, is a disaster. Some GPs if you say you’ve got a chest infection will refer you to Accident and Emergency.”

Dr Groden responded: “To say that there is no GP access across a ward, I would love to see the evidence for that please.”

Susanne Miller, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) chief officer said service demand has “exceeded” pre-pandemic levels with “particular pressures” on mental health in young people.

The board heard about plans to establish ‘wellbeing hubs’, at first covering 23 practices and over 100,000 patients.

Ms Miller said: “There is very clear evidence that with a range of other support services to our colleague GPs, we are much better equipped to meet patient needs immediately and ensure that GP time is properly focused using their skills and experience and expertise.”