Gpfunds welcome

Neil Gray has welcomed the announcement by Health Secretary Humza Yousaf of an extra £30 million to support GP practices to continue providing a high level of care to patients through winter and into next year.

The funding will help with the provision of existing GP services, including supporting more face-toface appointments, extra GP sessions and practice manager time organised cover for reflection, learning and innovation external GP locum sessions.

Airdrie MSP Mr Gray said: “I, like many of my colleagues, have received emails on the lack of faceto-face appointments available with GPS so I welcome this funding and hope that patients will see a more normal level of service in the near future.

“It is understandable that GP practices have, like many workplaces, been hit by Covid-19 staffing issues so it is good to see that they are being given support to try to return to full service and I want to thank GPS and their staff for the work they have done during the pandemic.

“The best way to reduce the burden on hospitals and A&E is for people to have GP diagnosis rather than heading to their nearest emergency department if an appointment is unavailable, so this funding is sorely needed.”