Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Patients at GP surgeries in Scotland are expressing their frustration at delays in getting appointments with doctors, with staff bearing the brunt of growing anger. One medical practice in Aberdeen highlighted the challenge of trying to do more with less due to a £290m funding gap, resulting in longer wait times for patients. Despite over £1bn of NHS Scotland’s budget being allocated to GP surgeries, resources are strained to meet increasing demand, leading to patient dissatisfaction.
The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland has raised concerns about the falling share of GPs in the health service budget against inflation since 2008. GP recruitment targets are not being met, leading to high vacancy rates and a heavier workload for doctors. First Minister John Swinney has promised to make it easier for patients to access GP appointments, with a greater proportion of new NHS funding directed towards primary and community care to address the issue.
At the Elmbank GP surgery in Aberdeen, patients are facing a wait of over four weeks for a routine face-to-face appointment, causing frustration and dissatisfaction. Practice manager Heather Sharkey emphasized the struggle to meet patient demand due to limited resources, highlighting the inability to hire more doctors despite available candidates in Scotland. Patients like Margaret Junner expressed their struggles in securing timely appointments and receiving the care they need, underscoring the impact of the GP shortage on patient well-being.
Nearly a decade ago, the Scottish government had plans to increase the number of GPs in Scotland by at least 800 by 2027 to alleviate the workload and improve patient care. However, recent reports indicate a failure to meet this target, with the headcount of GPs failing to demonstrate a significant increase in capacity. Trade unions attribute this to GPs reducing their hours and insufficient recruitment to replace retiring doctors, contributing to the ongoing shortage.
In response to the challenges faced by GP surgeries, Health Secretary Neil Gray announced an additional £15m in funding to boost GP recruitment and capacity. This investment complements over £100m allocated in the past two years to support medical practices with pay increases and sustainability. Gray emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing primary care services and easing current pressures on the healthcare system, with ongoing negotiations for further support in the future
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.