GP training posts being left empty despite best recruitment efforts

The proportion of GP training posts in Scotland left vacant after the main recruitment drive has risen to 10 per cent.

A total of 402 of 1,182 funded training posts were advertised for trainee GPS in Scotland during the drive, with 275 places being accepted.

Last year 339 of 1,082 established posts were similarly advertised and 250 junior doctors accepted places.

This means the percentage of unfilled posts has risen from 8 per cent to 10 per cent in a concerning trend.

The Scottish Conservatives highlighted the latest figures show only 68 per cent of the GP training places offered in the round of recruitment and re-advertisement had been filled by the end of June.

In England, a total of 84 per cent of vacancies were filled by 4 July after a round of recruitment. The uptake was even higher in Wales where 91 per cent were taken up by 13 June.

Scottish Conservatives health spokesman Miles Briggs said: “Ministers are fond of trumpeting the number of GP training places they are offering, but they are less vocal about the numbers being filled.

“The reason is clear; Scotland has the highest number of GP training vacancies in the UK. So far this year, 127 places are still empty.

“The reason is simple. Due to cutbacks and existing shortages, it is becoming harder than ever to persuade young doctors to take up a GP training place and the blame for that lies firmly at the SNP’S door. They have starved general practice of proper funding over the last ten years. Now we see the damage that has caused.”

Mr Briggs called on the Scottish Government to commit to 11 per cent of funding going to general practice to help staff recruitment and retention.