GP contract negotiations in Scotland
This animation from BMA Scotland provides a guide to the current negotiations between the Scottish GP Committee and the Scottish Government on a new contract for GPs in Scotland
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General practice has been at the heart of the NHS since it was formed in 1948.
Our primary care system has long been celebrated and respected across the globe.
And GPs are trusted more than any other profession in the UK.
We know the vital service you provide to your local communities but we also understand that these services are under severe strain.
GPs across Scotland are facing a number of pressures:
An increase in the number of older people with complex care needs
More people living with multiple long term conditions
And a drive to ensure more people are treated in a community setting, closer to home.
Increasing demand and significant workload pressures are resulting in low morale and stress which is leading to doctors choosing to leave the profession or consider retiring early.
As a result, GPs are facing difficulties in recruiting to vacant posts and finding locum cover.
In a recent survey, 26 per cent of practices reported that they had at least one GP vacancy.
Which is why general practice needs to change.
The BMA has listened to members and has already negotiated measures to provide immediate relief to practices, including the removal of QOF, providing occupational health for GPs, more effective backfill for maternity and paternity cover, a single performers list and free emergency oxygen supplies.
But we know that more needs to be done.
The BMA is negotiating a new GP contract for Scotland.
We want GPs to have time for the more complex cases.
This can be achieved with wider community care teams including nurses, physiotherapists, social and mental health workers and pharmacists working together with GPs as the clinical leaders.
This means that patients would be treated by the healthcare professional that is best placed to meet their needs. And pressure on GPs is relieved, giving GPs the time they need to be GPs.
We believe this professionally led approach will improve the quality of care patients receive, and in turn, secure the future of primary health care in Scotland.
But we need your help and support for this to succeed.
Visit our website to find out more about our vision for the future of general practice in Scotland.
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