Patient-to-GP numbers tops in Lothians

THE average number of patients registered with GP practices is higher in Lothian than in almost any other part of Scotland.

New figures have revealed that the average Edinburgh GP practice has 7203 patients, compared with a Scottish average of 5586.

In West Lothian the figure is 7678, in East Lothian the average practice has 6462 patients, and in Midlothian the average list size is 6730.

But a doctors’ representative said that the disparity can be explained as practices in Lothian tend to be larger and employ more doctors than elsewhere in Scotland.

Dr David Farquharson, NHS Lothian’s medical director, said: “As independent contractors, GP practices have autonomy on how they provide patient services and decide how best to meet demand on their individual practices such as structuring and increasing their complement of staff.

“The bi-annual Better Together GP survey indicates that overall Lothian GP practices are meeting the national target of 90 per cent of patients having access to a healthcare professional within two working days.”