Fewer WTE GPs now than in 2019

Commenting on the publication of GP workforce numbers, where despite an uptick there are still fewer whole time equivalent GPs now than there were in 2019, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"The Scottish Government is absolutely miles away from delivering the 800 extra GPs it promised by 2027.

"General practice is overwhelmed. People are ringing their surgeries hundreds of times to try and get an appointment. GPs tell me that they can rack up nearly 100 separate contacts with patients in a single day.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats would draw on the wider skills that exist in mental health, physiotherapy, pharmacy and more. By adding specialists to local teams we can lessen the load on GPs and get you fast access to the best care.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats also secured more money for GPs in this year's budget. This money can start unpicking years of damage caused by the SNP, but what the NHS really needs is a change of government."