GP leaders have welcomed a £531m deal with the Scottish Government as a ‘significant step in the right direction’ to stabilise and rebuild general practice.
Health secretary Neil Gray announced today that general practice would get additional funding of more than half a billion pounds over the next three years – the largest investment in core GP services in Scotland to date. After year three the funding boost will continue at £249m a year.
The funding is intended to boost staff numbers and capacity, support day-to-day operations and improve access to GP services.
The agreement comes after months of negotiation during which BMA Scotland entered formal dispute with the Scottish Government, saying that urgent action was needed to restore a £290m funding gap. Had agreement not been reached, BMA Scotland was considering balloting for industrial action.
Iain Morrison, chair of the BMA Scotland GPs committee, said: ‘We have been clear that the only way to put general practice in Scotland on a sustainable footing for the future and to improve access for patients was direct investment into practices to recruit and retain GPs.
‘Today’s announcement, secured after a robust but constructive set of negotiations is welcome recognition of that fact and reflects the level of funding needed to stabilise and rebuild general practice across Scotland in both urban and rural areas.
‘It is a significant step in the right direction, and importantly is a vote of confidence in the long-term future of the independent contractor model of general practice that has served local communities across Scotland so well.
‘This investment should finally enable the profession to feel optimistic about the future and provides the opportunity to make working in general practice in Scotland the rewarding, safe and sustainable career it should be once again.’
Large sum
Mr Gray said he had been listening to GPs. ‘I am pleased the BMA has accepted the Scottish Government’s offer to increase funding by £249m, which takes total investment in general practice to more than half a billion pounds over the next three years.
‘This is the largest investment in core GP services to date in Scotland and will significantly boost recruitment from next year, helping to deliver the capacity needed to improve services for patients.'
Mr Gray stressed that the investment was not a pay deal but was about stabilising practices and getting more staff into general practice. He said it would also help as the focus shifted from acute care to community.
The announcement is subject to Parliament agreeing future budgets, and will involve an initial investment of £98m for 2026-27, with £183m being invested in 2027-28 and £249m following in 2028-29.
The new investment will also help deliver digital prescribing, which aims to improve efficiency within primary care settings and enhance the patient experience.