SCOTLAND’S GP WORKFORCE RISES TO ALMOST 5,000

Scotland’s GP workforce has risen to a record 4,994 while also getting younger, according to the GP Workforce Report 2018.

There has been a 4.5% increase in the number of new GPs working in Scotland’s NHS who are under the age of 45.

Younger doctors now make up 53.6% of our GPs, a trend likely to continue, based on recent figures.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) Scottish Government aims to recruit 800 more GPs over the next decade, helped by raising the number of medical places in Scottish universities to a record high 1,038 and creating new graduate routes into medicine.

Unfortunately, Brexit poses a huge risk to NHS Scotland, with almost a third of European doctors working here considering moving abroad according to the British Medical Association, putting at risk the progress made to date.

Commenting, Patricia Gibson MP said:

“With Scotland’s population getting older, it’s encouraging to see our GP workforce bucking that trend.

“Health Secretary Jeane Freeman MSP, has set out her ambition to recruit a further 800 GPs over the coming years, to plan for those growing demands on services and raising the number of medical places at Scottish universities to an all-time high.

“Meanwhile, more than 2.5 million patients across England in 625 GP practices may see them close in the next five years because of the high numbers of GPs at risk of leaving the profession – causing a "catastrophic" effect on patient care, the Royal College of GPs has warned.

“Whilst Brexit has added uncertainty, we are confident that General Practice has a bright future in Scotland.”

ENDS