Exclusive:GPs 'need better working conditions' to keep them in Scotland
Too many GPs are working overtime, including on their days off, which is prompting many to move overseas, according to the Royal College of GPs.
Better working conditions are needed to keep GPs here in Scotland, according to a top doctor.
It comes after a Scottish medical group announced it is planning to leave the running of two GP surgeries in Fife when their contract finishes at the end of the year.
Earlier this week Ayrshire Medical Group announced it will stop running Valleyfield Medical Practice in West Fife and Links Medical Practice in Burntisland when its contract ends on December 31. Around 6,000 patients are cared for by both practices.
NHS Fife is already looking to start the search for a new contractor next week, but if no other contract is found then the health board will need to take over the running of these practices.
The Royal College of GPs also told Scotland on Sunday this happens “frequently” in places like the Highlands - but improving working conditions is the key to maintaining GP services in Scotland.
Dr Chris Williams, is co-chair of the Royal College of GPs Scotland and a medic in Grantown-on-Spey.
He said: “Sometimes health boards will take a contract back and try to find another group to take it on, but if it’s not viable because of the level of demand or because there’s not enough funding coming in to balance that, then the health board will need to run it at a loss.
“At the end of last year there was an agreement between the BMA and the Scottish Government to bring in some extra funding to support the workforce, and we are very keen people are able to see their GP for a range of things, and see a GP they are familiar with so there is continuity of care.
“But ultimately we want more GPs to be spread across practices across Scotland.
“We need to make sure we train up enough GPs and crucially hold onto the GPs that we have so they don’t leave to go and work in other countries.
“There is a global shortage of health professionals so we are vulnerable to losing doctors to other places.
“Key to all of this is making working conditions manageable.”
Dr Williams said any GPs are having to go into work “long before” the surgery officially opens and stay on long after it is closed, and are even having to come in on days off to get through all the extra paperwork involved.
He added: “The Scottish Government has made some progress, but clearly when we see situations like Ayrshire Medical Group handing back contracts, it shows some are not able to continue with the challenges they are facing.”
Dr Williams said the workload often “makes it difficult” for GPs to deliver the care they want, particularly with an ageing population and more patients presenting with multiple conditions.
He added: “We know south of the border there are issues in different parts of the medical workforce being in dispute with the government and going on strike, and in Scotland everyone is still talking to each other.
“I am optimistic things are changing and I hope we get the balance right.”
Professor Christopher McKenna, medical director at NHS Fife, said patients at the two affected practices should be “reassured” that primary care will be maintained and will remain “fully operational” throughout the transition process.
A spokeswoman for the government said they are aware of the situation at NHS Fife, and has increased investment in general practice by over £531 million over the past three years.
It added it plans to open a walk-in GP service in central Fife “which will help provide same day access for patients with minor illnesses”.
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