Patients Express Anger Over Delays in GP Appointments in Scotland

Patients across Scotland are expressing frustration over long delays in securing appointments with general practitioners (GPs). Staff at various GP surgeries, including the Elmbank practice in Aberdeen, report that they are facing increased pressure due to a staffing shortage exacerbated by a funding gap estimated at £290 million. This situation is leaving many patients waiting weeks for essential care.

The Elmbank GP surgery currently has a waiting time exceeding four weeks for routine face-to-face appointments. Practice manager Heather Sharkey highlighted the challenges faced by her team, stating, “We are firefighting every single day just to do the best that we can.” She noted that the surgery’s patient list increased by 6% over the past year, yet the necessary funding to hire additional doctors is not available.

Sharkey added that this strain translates into frustration for both the office staff and the patients. Many individuals are understandably worried about their health. “It can range from being incredibly understanding to ‘well if I die, it’s your fault’,” she said. This sentiment was echoed by patient Margaret Junner, who described the process of securing an appointment as frustrating, stating, “You do think I’m a human being, I’ve got feelings… and after a while you just give up.”

The issues plaguing the GP sector are not new. According to the British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland, GPs’ share of the health service budget has decreased each year against inflation since 2008. The BMA has formally disputed this with Scottish ministers, highlighting unmet recruitment targets and high vacancy rates. Dr. Chris Provan, a GP partner at Elmbank and chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners in Scotland, stated, “I’m very clear we don’t have enough GPs. We’re always struggling to fit patients in.”

The Scottish government has previously announced plans to increase the number of GPs by at least 800 by 2027. However, a recent report from Audit Scotland indicated that this plan is falling short of its targets. The total number of GPs rose from 4,904 in September 2017 to 5,211 by the same time last year. Yet, the count does not accurately reflect the increase in GP capacity, especially since many GPs work part-time.

The report highlighted a decline in the number of whole-time equivalent (WTE) GPs, which dropped from an estimated 3,520 in September 2017 to 3,453 in March 2023. This decrease illustrates the reality that many GPs are reducing their hours and that there are not enough trainees being recruited to fill the gaps left by retiring practitioners.

In response to the mounting pressure on GP services, Health Secretary Neil Gray recently announced £15 million aimed at bolstering GP recruitment and capacity. This funding comes in addition to over £100 million allocated in the past two years to meet recommended pay increases and support medical practices. Gray emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring a greater proportion of new NHS funding is directed towards primary and community care, thereby alleviating current pressures in the system.

Gray stated, “We want to make it easier for people to see their GP… this initial installment demonstrates this government’s commitment to supporting primary care.” As discussions continue regarding further support for the sector, the immediate focus remains on addressing the challenges that patients and healthcare workers are currently facing in Scotland. The situation emphasizes the urgent need for solutions to ensure that patients receive timely and adequate medical attention.