Bad medicine

The First Minister revealed her Programme for Government recently, promising to be fresh, bold and ambitious. We heard in detail of education reforms and of recycling bottles and cans: but there was no mention whatsoever of the current negotiations between the BMA and the Scottish Government for a new GP contract in Scotland. The draft contract is due to be presented in December.

Scottish General Practice is in crisis: the GP workforce is ageing; young doctors are avoiding General Practice; practices are unable to replace retirees; GP morale is at an alltime low; General Practice is in danger of collapse. This all raises the potential (despite the best efforts of hardworking GPS) of risks to the health of patients.

The new contract is intended to revitalise General Practice – an essential public service on which we all rely.

But not a word about it from the First Minister. Why? Why the secrecy? Why is this not being heralded as a major piece of business for the Scottish Government this year?

A troubling thought occurs: does the First Minister think more of plastic bottles than General Practice? (DR) BRUCE HALLIDAY Dalbeattie Road, Dumfries