Fewer Fife GPs despite rise in patient numbers

Fife has fewer GPs than a decade ago despite rising numbers of patients, Scottish Government figures reveal.

An MSP has warned people will struggle to see their family doctor with the primary care crisis showing “no signs of letting up” in the region.

The number of GPs has fallen from 286 to 280 in Fife since 2008, while the registered patient list has increased by nearly 11,000 to 383,709.

Fife Labour MSP Claire Baker said the situation outlined in the Scottish Government’s annual general practice report is “simply unsustainable”.

“Whilst the number of GPs may have increased in the last year it is still below the number of GPs that were employed in Fife in 2008,” she said.

“With many GPs in the region going part-time, we have fewer doctors having to do more work.”

Eighteen surgeries in Fife have full lists, while seven are having recruitment difficulties, according to Ms Baker’s research.

Those with staffing issues are listed as North Glen, Glenrothes; Kennoway Medical Group; Methilhaven, Methil; Inverkeithing Medical Group; Dr Morris and Partners, Kirkcaldy; Dr Mitchell and Partners, Kirkcaldy, and Lochgelly Medical Practice.

Across Courier Country there are seven fewer surgeries than 10 years ago, the publication shows.

Tayside has 28 more GPs than in 2008 but the average patient list size is up 11%.

Perthshire Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said: “Scotland is in the midst of a GP crisis and fewer practices combined with larger lists is clearly impacting patient care in the NHS Tayside region.”

In Scotland, the number of GPs has remained roughly constant over the last decade at about 4,900.

The report published yesterday reveals an increase of 75 doctors on last year, taking the overall number in the country to 4,994.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “We’re committed to increasing the number of GPs in Scotland by at least 800 over the next decade. Today’s figures show we are making progress in delivering that commitment.”