GPs reeling from pause in loan scheme
GPS are warning practices are at risk of collapse after the Scottish Government paused a loan scheme.
a poll by BMA Scotland found 30 surgeries were in a perilous state after the GP Sustainability Loan Scheme was suspended.
of these, six said having to hand back their contract was “likely” – meaning health boards will have to provide GP services, potentially impacting patient choice and access.
Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie
Baillie said: “Primary care in Scotland is in crisis but this SNP government is still pulling the rug out from underneath GPs by suspending this vital loans scheme.”
GPs told the survey they had been “left in limbo”, and felt “deeply disappointed and let down” by the Scots Government.
under the scheme, GPs who own their premises can apply for long-term, interest-fee loans worth up to 20 per cent of the practice’s value, which is only repayable when the building is sold or changed to a non-medical use.
dr andrew Cowie, of BMA Scotland, said: “Scotland has lost around 100 GP practices over the last 10 years and it is clear we cannot afford to lose even one more. The Scottish Government must restart the loan application process immediately.”
a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We intend to resume Tranche 1 of the Sustainability Loan Scheme in 2024-25 once we have completed the disbursement of funds for those loans already completed and confirmed a budget. This will likely not be until midway through the financial year.”
“our preference remains to continue the loan scheme into Tranche 2 and beyond. however, this will depend on whether the UK Government resumes the allocation of financial Transaction Capital to the Scottish Government.”