Funding
General Practice in Scotland receives only 6.5% of the entire NHS Scotland Budget.
GP Numbers
The number of GPs in Scotland is falling with a loss of around 200 in the last 10 years.
Patient Numbers
Over the last 12 years, more than 450,000 new patients have registered with GP Practices in Scotland.
Complex Care
There are more elderly in our population. Therefore more patients living with long term, complex illness to care for.
GP Premises
Lack of investment in GP premises; needed to deliver the right care closer to your home.
Support your GP Practice – Write to your MSPs
Why is your GP Practice so pressured?
There is a sustainability crisis in General Practice: BMA Scotland's GP Sustainability Dashboard
Workload Crisis in General Practice: Safe Workload Guidance for GPs
Increasing Patient Numbers
There are 451,122 more patients registered with GP practices in Scotland in 2024 than 2012.
The Number of Doctors becoming GPs is falling
Scottish Government promised 800 new GPs, but the reality is the numbers are reducing. The number of full time equivalent GPs has fallen by 5.35% (approx. 200) full-time GPs in 10 years.
There are fewer GP Practices
The number of GP practices in Scotland has fallen by 11%. ( from 997 in 2012 to 889 in 2024) This will continue unless urgent action is taken.
2018 GP Contract failed to deliver it’s promises
The expanded Practice based teams, services and support have not materialised as they should have. Government funding reduced in real terms.
Lack of investment in General Practice Premises
Lack for funding for you GP Practice buildings and infrastructure contribute to challenges. In many cases preventing improved access to care for patients.
High levels of GP Vacancies
42% of Practices in Scotland report at least one GP vacancy. The number of GP partners has reduced by 14% between 2012 and 2022.
Insufficient Funding
Successive years of underfunding to general practices to cover staff pay and practice expenses has increased the financial pressures on practices.
A smaller share of the overall NHS Budget for General Practice
Over the past 20 years the share of the NHS budget for general practice has declined. It is now only 6.5% of the overall NHS Scotland budget.
Patients contact General Practice more often
There are several reasons for this including an ageing population, more complex care delivered in General practice, longer hospital and specialist waiting times.
No electronic Prescriptions system
Scotland is the only part of the UK that does not have this, despite it being a key Scottish Government commitment. Electronic prescriptions would save time, resources and reduce environmental impact.
The Scottish Government need to do more to directly support General Practice
Please contact your MSP and support your GP Practice. Their contact details can be found here