‘Audit report highlights failure to support GPs’ says RCGP Scotland Chair

Responding to a report on general practice by Audit Scotland, Dr Chris Provan, Chair of RCGP Scotland, said:

"Regrettably, the stark findings of this Audit Scotland report will not come as a surprise to any GP working in Scotland today. General practice has felt to be in a state of perpetual crisis following years of underinvestment and systematic neglect, despite its enormous contribution to our NHS and the health of the people of Scotland.

"The report lays bare the increased pressure that GPs and their teams have worked tirelessly to absorb, often at the expense of their job satisfaction and personal wellbeing. It identifies a real terms spending decrease of 6% on general practice since 2021/22, despite the Scottish Government's aim of shifting care into community settings.

“The divergence of workload and resource simply cannot continue, and we welcome the report's various recommendations for better financial decision making, workforce planning, and data gathering in general practice.

"While the GP contract is the remit of the BMA, not the RCGP, it would be inappropriate for us to comment on any future changes to this framework.  However, this report’s assessment of the implementation of the contract emphasises the urgent need for the re-prioritisation of general practice in terms of policy delivery and investment to match.

“We wholeheartedly agree with the recommendations set out in the report - indeed many of these are things that we have been asking Scottish Government to take action on for years. 

“With proper support, recognition and investment, general practice is the solution to preserving the NHS for future generations.” 

Further information

Media requests to Marcus Carslaw, Policy and Public Relations Officer RCGP Scotland.

Telephone: 07808 795493
Email: marcus.carslaw@rcgp.org.uk 

Notes to editors

RCGP Scotland represents a network of around 5,000 doctors in Scotland aiming to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standard of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on resources, education, training, research, and clinical standards.