Callfor answers onGP numbers

Perthshire-based MSP Liz Smith has called on the Scottish Government to state how many GPs are registered but not practising in Scotland.

The Tory politician says that having this knowledge could play a part in attracting qualified GPs back to surgeries - helping to plug gaps across her Mid-Scotland and Fife constituency.

She asked minister Shona Robison for the figures in a parliamentary question in November and was informed by the health secretary that they did not exist.

It emerged that the government is unable to correlate the data of GPs registered with the GMC but not on the performers list.

The Scottish Conservatives have pledged to ramp up GP recruitment and training whilst also planning to ringfence 10% of the healthcare budget for GP services.

Ms Smith said: “At a time when our GP services are stretched to the edges you would hope that the Scottish Government would have some idea of the number of GPs that are registered to but not practising.

“Enticing more of these people back to the profession, whether it be those who have left to start a family or those on a career break, will be crucial if we are to plug the gaps in general practice. It is scandalous that the Scottish Government does not have these figures to hand and I have called on Shona Robison to provide them in the future.”