General practice under threat, BMA conference to be told

Rising workload and increasing demand is threatening the work of GPs according to Dr McDevitt. Picture: Contributed

THE future of general medical practice in Scotland is under threat unless the Scottish Government delivers substantial new funding and staff, a leading GP is set to warn.

Dr Alan McDevitt, leader of Scotland’s GPs, will address the BMA Scottish local medical committee annual conference in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.

In his speech, Dr McDevitt will warn rising workload and increasing demand are continuing to place general practice in an “unsustainable position” and call on the Scottish Government to deliver immediate relief.

He is expected to say: “General practice is facing some of its toughest challenges, with workload and patient demand at unprecedented levels.

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“GPs across the country are telling us of the rising pressure they are facing, with 26% of GP practices reporting that they are struggling to fill vacancies. This is simply not sustainable.

“We know that practices need tangible support now if they are to weather the storm that general practice is facing. If practices don’t receive that much-needed relief, then soon some will run out of time.”

Dr McDevitt will also call on the Scottish Government to make a commitment to invest in the future of general practice.

He will say: “Without commitment to substantial new primary care funding and staff, the general practice we all need and value may not survive. It’s time for politicians to make that commitment.”