Retired docs could beat GP shortage
Potential solution to problem
Retired doctors could be asked to help ease the GP shortage by filling vacancies.
NHS chiefs are concerned about the shrinking number of available family doctors in the face of rising patient numbers and complexities.
The primary care workforce survey shows the escalating GP recruitment crisis across Scotland is made worse by an ageing population who are increasingly reliant on primary care.
Now the Scottish Government is backing a scheme in which health boards build up a register of retired GPs to plug the gaps.
Problems with the availability of doctors have also sparked shortfalls in GP out- of- hours provision at Perth Royal Infirmary for more than a year.
Madderty-based Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith has sought to tackle the issue, including holding a public meeting in Crieff, but was told the situation is not caused by a lack of money but a shortage of qualified staff.
She is now pointing the finger at the SNP over the problems.
The Conservative politician said: “The Scottish Government has been warned about dwindling GP numbers for many years and this trend appears to be only continuing in Perth and Kinross.
“The SNP has been in charge of health for almost a decade and these figures highlight the depth of problems under their watch.
“There are clearly issues with workforce planning and Scotland’s ageing and increasing population will only add to this problem.”
The number of GPs fell by 5 per cent in Perth and Kinross over the past year, despite longer patient lists.
The SNP has moved to put in £2m of extra funding to recruit and retain GPs over the next two years. NHS Tayside has also moved to recruit GPs.
Ms Smith said: “As the primary care workforce survey shows, there still remain challenges in recruiting and retaining doctors to work in general practice.
“While Scotland continues to have the highest number of GPs per patient in the UK, we still need to act now to redesign the way care is provided in the community to ensure these services are sustainable in the future.”