Scots patients get 'raw deal' over out-of-hours care, claims Annabel Goldie

Published on Thursday 4 February 2010 21:41

Annabel Goldie, the Scottish Conservative leader, produced figures showing that 95 per cent of GPs had opted out of the out-of-hours care system.

The figures also showed that GPs' pay had increased by 40 per cent, while ambulance call-outs had rocketed by 42 per cent.

Ms Goldie said: "It's clear that the ambulance service, already under pressure, is filling the gap."

At First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Goldie said the controversial GPs' contract of 2004 was to blame for the situation.

She claimed the existing deal was putting patients at risk.

Miss Goldie said: "The people of Scotland are getting a raw deal on out-of-hours medical care.

"This contract was mismanaged, has undermined patient confidence and could jeopardise patient care."

All Scots should have access to "urgent and primary care" at all times, Miss Goldie said.

She acknowledged that it was a UK-wide contract, but argued that the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament had a formal role in negotiating it.

Ms Goldie asked Alex Salmond if he supported Conservative plans to re-negotiate the contract to "get a better deal for patients in Scotland".

Mr Salmond replied that his government was always "looking and open to improvements and suggestions".

The First Minister said that health boards in Scotland have a requirement to ensure satisfactory out-of-hours service is in place for all citizens.

Mr Salmond said that the SNP administration did not initiate the new contract. He said public satisfaction with the health service in Scotland was rising and was the highest in the UK.

The issue is being examined by Holyrood's health committee