Better access to Lothian GPs is welcomed

NEARLY everyone can now get a GP appointment in the Lothians within 48 hours, latest figures have shown.

The final GP Access Report has found that 95 per cent of people locally were able to get an appointment with their local doctor in that timeframe, while more than four-fifths could secure advance appointments.

The progress was welcomed by Lothians MSP and former GP Dr Ian McKee.

He said: "It's great to see so many of my former colleagues offering more accessible care to patients across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

"Over the period of just one year, GP accessibility in the Lothian health board has increased significantly.

"The survey shows that GP access in NHS Lothian and throughout Scotland is improving considerably.

"Patients expect to be seen by a GP no later than 48 hours and although progress has been made, more work needs to be done to ensure that all practices are offering an acceptable service."