GPs in Scotland are increasingly concerned about the survival of their practices, with many warning there is “no realistic chance” of meeting demand from patients

A new BMA Scotland survey on GP wellbeing and funding has also found many GPs are struggling to cope with their workload, with some describing it as “unmanageable”.

Nearly all participants indicated that they could take on more General Practitioners (GPs) if they received adequate funding. An additional 160 whole-time equivalent (WTE) GPs could potentially be available, which would provide approximately 700,000 additional appointments annually. This increase in capacity would be achievable if all sessional GPs seeking more work were able to secure their desired number of working hours.

Dr Iain Morrison, chair of the Scottish general practitioners committee (SGPC), said the findings were stark in revealing the pressures GP practices are under and provides an explanation for why patients can face a struggle to get the service or access they want and need.

He said the survey showed the “devastating” impact of years of underinvestment and the results must act as a wake-up call to Government, with an urgent plan needed to see £290m deliver full funding restoration for GP practices and stabilise the position.

The survey found:

• Nearly half of GPs in Scotland who responded to the survey say the future of their practice is precarious or not sustainable. (44.58%), up 10% since 2023 (34.57%).
• Four out of ten GPs  (41.61%) say their practice is unable to meet patient demand for access and there is “no realistic chance of this in the near future”.
• Most GPs (98.5%) believe urgent and sustained investment into General Practice is necessary.
• More than nine out of ten GPs say they would take on additional GPs if they had sufficient funding (95.62%)
• The equivalent of nearly 160 WTE salaried and locum GPs could be engaged if funding was available.- who would be able to provide 695,508 additional appointments per year.
• Nearly half of GPs (48.86%) say they are struggling to cope and work is having a negative impact on their physical and mental wellbeing and a quarter (26.23%) describe their current workload as unmanageable

Dr Morrison said: “The findings of this survey show the crisis that GPs across the country are facing and must act as a wake-up call to government that we need a radical change of approach as to how it supports General Practice.

“At a time when we have record levels of demand, general practices are having to think about reducing services – we simply cannot continue to provide more and more for less and less resource.

“It is a situation which is completely unsustainable and is taking a toll on GPs who are all too aware of the challenges patients can face in accessing services. GPs want to deliver a service they can be proud of, rather than one they need to apologise for.

“This survey has found most practices would be able to take on more GPs if they had the funding available, as well as showing there are GPs who are looking for work. Patients will rightly be bewildered that there are GPs struggling to find enough work while they can face a struggle to get an appointment. If the required funding was made available, patients would be able to rapidly see the benefits with the equivalent of 160 WTE GPs currently seeking to take on work.”

The BMA’s Scottish general practitioners committee has recently launched a campaign calling for a £290million funding gap to be addressed, which includes posters in GP surgeries explaining the issues to help patients understand why they may be struggling to get the service or access they want and need. Patients are also being urged to ‘Stand with your Surgery’ and back the call for general practice to receive more funding.

Dr Morrison said: “The survey also reveals an alarming number of practices are on the brink, with nearly half of GPs expressing concern about the sustainability of their practice in the future.

“Surgeries are at the heart of communities and we simply cannot afford to lose one more as a consequence of erosion of funding and rising cost pressures. That’s why we are also calling for everyone to ‘Stand with your Surgery’ and advocate for General Practice to receive more funding, to be able to better serve their communities.

“This must begin with urgent action to deliver £290million for full funding restoration – around one percent of the Scottish NHS budget - which would initially help to stabilise General Practice and then grow the GP workforce to improve access and services for patients.

“The survey shows the devastating impact of years of lack of action and we cannot allow any more practices to close or GPs to leave the profession as a result. The government must now take the opportunity to support general practice and reverse years of decline before it is simply too late.

“General practice provides 90 per cent of patient contact and can deliver the solution to the perpetual NHS crisis – but only if it is given the resources to do so.”

Dr Karen Hopkins, a GP Partner in Stepps, North Lanarkshire, said: “I used to be proud to tell people I was a GP; it used to be met with respect and appreciation.  Now when people ask me, I tell them and brace myself for the barrage of frustration I know is about to be thrust upon me. “Not out of malice, but because people- my friends, my family, parents in the playground- are increasingly frustrated with the NHS and service that is not fit for purpose. Yet my colleagues and I in primary care are working harder than ever. Longer hours, no lunch breaks, logging on at home on unpaid days off or holidays.

“Primary care is both the first point of access and the backbone of the NHS. Funding restoration would mean better access. It would mean more appointments with GPs and nurses. It would mean your chronic disease checks could be done promptly and on schedule. It would mean being a GP would once again become a more attractive job – 11-hour days with no break is not something any of us thought we were signing up for becoming GPs.

“Our nation has never been more unhealthy-obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease. Preventing and treating this is the bread and butter of general practice, and yet while we are fire-fighting the insatiable demand, this important work cannot be done. Funding restoration needs to happen for the future of General Practice...and the future of the NHS.”
 

Notes to editors

BMA Scotland ran a snap survey of GPs in Scotland from 6 May to 21 May 2025 receiving 1670 responses, with 38% of GP partners in Scotland taking part.

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.