GPs in Scotland are set to receive more than half a billion pounds from the Scottish Government over the next three years to stabilise practices and get more staff onto the frontline.
Scottish health secretary Neil Gray pledged £531m for GPs across the country during a visit to a surgery in Edinburgh on Tuesday, saying the cash will help “significantly boost” the number of family doctors.
The announcement comes following agreement with the British Medical Association (BMA) over additional funding for GP services.
Gray said it’s about “stabilising practices and getting more staff into general practice”.
“This is the largest investment in core GP services to date in Scotland and will significantly boost recruitment from next year, helping to deliver the capacity needed to improve services for patients,” the health secretary added.
“We have been listening carefully to the views of Scotland’s GPs and I am pleased the BMA has accepted the Scottish Government’s offer to increase funding by £249m, which takes total investment in General Practice to more than half a billion pounds over the next three years.”
He emphasised the money was “not a pay deal”.
Subject to future budget processes, the Scottish Government agreed to make an initial investment of £98m available in 2026-27, with £183m to be invested in 2027-28 and £249m in 2028-29.
The money will help boost GP staff numbers and capacity, support day-to-day operations and make it easier for people to access services. It will also help deliver digital prescribing.
The Scottish Government stated that the funding builds on its current annual GP investment of over £1.3bn over the last two years.
Dr Iain Morrison, chair of BMA Scotland’s GP committee, said the announcement is a “significant step in the right direction”.
“For some time, we have been clear that the only way to put General Practice in Scotland on a sustainable footing for the future and to improve access for patients was direct investment into practices to recruit and retain GPs,” Dr Morrison said.
“Today’s announcement, secured after a robust but constructive set of negotiations, is welcome recognition of that fact and reflects the level of funding needed to stabilise and rebuild General Practice across Scotland in both urban and rural areas.”
He added: “This investment should finally enable the profession to feel optimistic about the future and provide the opportunity to make working in General Practice in Scotland the rewarding, safe and sustainable career it should be once again.”
Commenting on the announcement, Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie MSP said it is “right” that the Government recognised the funding challenges for GP surgeries, but was critical of both the timing and of previous unmet promises.
“Trainee GPs have previously spoken about how they are struggling to find permanent and temporary jobs – hopefully, this funding will help more people enter the workforce and give them that security going forward,” Baillie said.
“However, it is clear they will not see a penny of this cash before the Holyrood election in May next year, despite the pressure they are under.”
She accused the SNP Government of “floundering” when it comes to GPs, “having previously promised to increase the number of GPs by at least 800 by 2027”.
She pointed out that Audit Scotland has said that the goal is “unlikely to be met”.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
