Sick sense

Scottish General Practice is in crisis: the workload is rising inexorably, morale is at an alltime low and GP numbers are dwindling.

At present, 26 per cent of practices in Scotland have been unable to replace retired GPS. The figure in Fife is 35 per cent, Lanarkshire 38 per cent and Dumfries and Galloway 41 per cent. To make matters worse, 35 per cent of GPS in Scotland plan to retire within the next five years.

What confirms this as a looming disaster is that the GP training scheme throughout Scotland is failing to attract new young doctors. Eight training programmes – spanning the country – are particularly hard hit: Shetland, Caledonian, Grampian, West Tayside, East Tayside, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran and Dumfries & Galloway.

The declining number of gps means the service is starting to crumble: practice lists closed to new patients; practice keys handed back to health boards to take over responsibility; practices shut permanently. This situation would have been unthinkable ten years ago.

The BMA is negotiating a new GP contract for Scotland with the Scottish Government. It is essential that this contract addresses workload, lifts morale and restores General Practice as an attractive career option.

The First Minister must focus fully on this crisis and take effective action; otherwise a vital public service in Scotland will fail. (DR) BRUCE HALLIDAY Dalbeattie Road, Dumfries