SNP set to break key GP promise

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Adam Harley MSP has today said that the SNP are set to break a key promise to recruit more GPs, as new figures revealed they have hired a mere 10% of the number pledged.

On 1st December 2017, the SNP government promised to recruit 800 more GPs over ten years. When that commitment was made, there were 3,520 GPs in Scotland.

New figures reveal that this has only increased to 3,600- a rise of just 80.

Adam Harley MSP said:

“People are finding it excruciatingly difficult to see a GP, largely because there are simply not enough staff. Now it looks like the SNP are set to break their promise to fix that fundamental problem.

“The SNP are concentrating millions of pounds and government time on walk-in centres, despite GPs making it very clear that these facilities won't improve anything.

“The focus should be on easing the burden on GPs to free up their time and get everyone seen quicker. The best way to do that is by hiring more specialist staff in GP practices, enabling pharmacists to do more prescribing and investing in modern IT and digital systems.”