General practice under threat, BMA conference to be told

The future of general medical practice in Scotland is under threat unless the Scottish Government delivers substantial new funding and staff, a leading GP is set to warn.

Dr Alan McDevitt, leader of Scotland's GPs, will address the BMA Scottish local medical committee annual conference in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.

In his speech, Dr McDevitt will warn rising workload and increasing demand are continuing to place general practice in an "unsustainable position'' and call on the Scottish Government to deliver immediate relief.

He is expected to say: "General practice is facing some of its toughest challenges, with workload and patient demand at unprecedented levels.

"GPs across the country are telling us of the rising pressure they are facing, with 26% of GP practices reporting that they are struggling to fill vacancies. This is simply not sustainable.

"We know that practices need tangible support now if they are to weather the storm that general practice is facing. If practices don't receive that much-needed relief, then soon some will run out of time.''

Dr McDevitt will also call on the Scottish Government to make a commitment to invest in the future of general practice.

He will say: "Without commitment to substantial new primary care funding and staff, the general practice we all need and value may not survive. It's time for politicians to make that commitment.''

The Scottish Government said the country enjoys the highest number of GPs per head of population in the UK.

Funding for GP services has increased each year under the current administration, rising from £704.6 million in 2007/08 to £852.6 million in 2014/15.

Health Secretary Shona Robison, who will address the conference in Clydebank, said: The new £45 million Primary Care Fund in the 2016/17 draft budget equates to an increase for primary care of over 6% above the investment in the GP contract from the Scottish Government.

We are using these foundations to begin transforming primary care, including investing £13 million in developing new ways of working with multi-disciplinary teams both in and out of hours, that elevate the role of GPs as medical experts in the community.

At the same time, £4.75 million is being invested in GP recruitment and retention, leadership and research, including £2.5 million to examine and take forward proposals to increase the number of medical students choosing to go into GP training.

We are also expanding schemes to encourage trained GPs to return to practice in the NHS, and increasing the number of training places for GPs by 33% - from 300 to 400.''

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