Fifers ‘kept in the dark’ on GP crisis

HEALTH: MSP angry after failing to get answers over provision

The Scottish Government and NHS Fife “want to try and keep everyone in the dark” about the depth of the region’s GP crisis, it has been claimed.

Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP Claire Baker hit out after failing to get answers to questions concerning recruitment and vacancies from either.

With staff shortages at the heart of the continuing closure of some overnight GP services, she said: “It is simply inexcusable that neither the Scottish Government or NHS Fife hold this information.

“There are real questions to be asked over who actually knows what is going on.”

NHS Fife medical director Dr Frances Elliot said because GPs were not employed by the board it did not have access to the information requested.

The Scottish Government confirmed it did not hold the data as the majority of practices were run by independent GP contractors.

NHS Fife and the Scottish Government “must get their heads out of the sand” and face up to the reality of Fife’s GP crisis, it has been claimed.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker has raised the question “who actually knows what is going on?” amid confusion about who has an overview of the situation.

Mrs Baker first raised the issue in parliament, asking a series of questions to find out how many practices had vacancies, which were experiencing recruitment problems, how many GPs were employed locally, how many posts were being covered by locums and how many GP sessions had been lost because of pressures on staff.

She was astonished when former health secretary Shona Robison replied saying it was a matter for NHS Fife and the information was not held by the Scottish Government.

That was confirmed by a spokesperson who told The Courier: “The response given to Ms Baker is accurate – the information she requested can and should be provided by the health board, who are responsible for local GP services.”

The Courier then submitted a freedom of information request to NHS Fife, covering the same questions but was told it did not hold the information – and to seek answers from each individual GP practice in Fife.

“Fife is clearly facing a GP crisis,” said the MSP.

“Doctors know this, patients know this, yet both NHS Fife and the Scottish Government want to try and keep everyone in the dark.

“This is simply unacceptable.” “Both the board and the cabinet secretary must get their heads out of the sand and face up to the reality of the situation in front of them.

“We won’t find a solution until they can accept there is a problem.”

NHS Fife medical director Dr Frances Elliot said: “NHS Fife has been very open about the challenges in recruiting to some GP vacancies. This experience is not exclusive to Fife.”

However, she added the board was active in supporting practices to ensure good access to healthcare.

A Scottish Government spokesperson added: “As the majority of Scotland’s GP practices – almost 95% – are run by independent GP contractors who employ their practice staff directly, management information on GP vacancies and locum staff is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.”

Fife is clearly facing a GP crisis. Doctors know this, patients know this, yet both NHS Fife and the Scottish Government want to try and keep everyone in the dark. CLAIRE BAKER MSP