GP practices 'must keep up with population growth'

Published on Sunday 7 February 2010 21:55

DOCTORS are calling on the Scottish Government to create measures to support the development of new GP practices in growing communities.

Scotland's population is expected to rise by 7 per cent to 5.54 million by 2033.

GPs are calling for action to ensure town planners have a duty to consider the impact of new housing developments on local health services.

They also want measures to be put in place to provide support for the creation of new practices where there is significant population growth.

At present, small but growing practices do not receive sufficient funding to make them financially viable, the British Medical Association said.

Dr Dean Marshall, chair of the BMA's Scottish GPs committee, said: "General Practice is very much at the heart of local communities and the care we provide is valued by our patients.

"Everyone needs to have access to their GP at some point in their life, from immunisation of babies to care for the elderly. If we are to improve access and provide the range of services patients need, then we have to make sure we have the capacity to deliver.

"At present there is no requirement for planning departments to consider the impact of new housing developments on local health services. We believe it would be common sense to include this as part of the planning process."

A government spokesman said: "NHS Boards review their local development plans for primary care services on an ongoing basis, taking account of all factors including projected population changes.

"Community Health Partnerships already work locally to co-ordinate NHS development needs within local authority plans, which can result in the opening of new GP practices or the expansion of existing practices, and the development of other primary care services.

"The Scottish Government is continuing to invest heavily in new primary care facilities, last year announcing 82m over two years for modernisation and primary care developments."