Johnstone demands improved funding for GPs
The Scottish Government must increase the share of funding provided to GP practices so that people can be adequately cared for in their communities according to Scottish Greens Parliamentary Co-Leader Alison Johnstone MSP.
In April, parliament backed a green motion calling for an urgent review of GP recruitment, resources and funding. Yet no review has taken place, a point Ms Johnstone raised with the First Minister at FMQs this afternoon.
Alison Johnstone MSP said:
“I’ve received hundreds of emails from constituents this week asking that the Scottish Government allocate 11% of NHS funding to general practice. The First Minister needs to ensure the necessary resource is available to employ more doctors and nurses, provide longer appointments and tackle the health inequalities that blight Scotland.
“In April, parliament backed a green motion demanding an urgent review of GP recruitment, resources and funding, yet no review has been forthcoming.
“GP practices are over stretched and under resourced. A quarter of GPs don’t think they’ll be in general in general practice in 5 years’ time and the RCGP are warning that this untenable situation is already putting patient safety at risk.
“If we want to look after more people in their homes and communities then we need more GPs working in our practices. The RCGP says surgeries will struggle to deliver the healthcare we need without at least 11% of NHS funding. It is time that the government listened to GPs and delivered these resources.”