£82m in extra funding announced for Scotland's GP practices
The health secretary says the money will allow practices to expand teams and modernise systems
Last updated 7th Feb 2022
Health boards across Scotland are to receive a share of £82.6million in funding to support struggling GP practices.
Health secretary Humza Yousaf says the money will be used to expand teams within practices and allow them to modernise their systems.
It will also allow other healthcare professionals like physiotherapists and nurses to be based at practices, giving GPs more time with patients who need their skills, such as suspected cancer cases.
A total of £82.6 million will be spent expanding teams within GP practices and modernising their
Telephone systems in practices will also be upgraded to reduce call-waiting times for patients.
The money is the final allocation from the four-year fund the Scottish Government agreed with GPs in 2018.
Speaking to MFR News Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said the funding would allow the health service to be more robust in the face of any future coronavirus waves: "There’s no doubt that the last few weeks of December, first few weeks of January were probably the most difficult that the health service has ever faced.
“We’re absolutely looking to recover, and we are hopefully recovering, but every time we are hit with a new wave (of Covid), every time there is a new variant, that in itself is going to cause immense pressure on the health service.
“So actually controlling Covid is part of the recovery, as well as all the additional funding and finance that we provide too.”
Dr Andrew Buist, chair of BMA Scotland's GP committee, said: "Things continue to be really tough for GPs and teams working in practices across Scotland.
"We need help to cope with demand - both while the pandemic continues and looking longer term, including as restrictions begin to ease following the Omicron wave.
"A crucial part of this is building the teams around GPs and ensuring there are the right skilled staff in place to ensure people are treated by the most appropriate professional, freeing up GPs' time to focus on the highest priority patients who need our time the most.
"This funding will make a crucial contribution in that sense, so it is very welcome and we hope it will make a real difference for practices and patients across Scotland."