Scotland faces GP recruitment freeze due to finances

Doctors in Scotland are facing serious financial challenges that are affecting recruitment for new general practitioners (GPs). Many medical practices report they cannot afford to hire additional staff, despite government promises to improve access to family doctors. Trainee GPs are also struggling to find permanent or temporary positions in this tough job market. The Royal College of GPs and the British Medical Association indicate that some practices are pausing recruitment and reducing temporary staffing due to financial strain. Three-quarters of surgeries in Scotland are managed by GP partners, who bear the costs of running their practices but are paid by the NHS for patient services. Dr. Annie Lomas, a GP partner in West Lothian, describes the financial situation as the worst ever. Her practice, which employs eight doctors, is struggling with rising costs, including an annual increase of £35,000 to £50,000. This has led to reduced service capacity, making it impossible to hire more GPs. She warns that if practices cannot manage their finances, patients will ultimately suffer. Trainee doctor Dr. Samantha McCarthy is finding it hard to secure a job as competition for vacancies grows. She notes that job prospects have worsened significantly compared to three years ago when there were many openings. Now, Dr. McCarthy is even considering leaving the profession or moving to Australia for better opportunities. Patients are expressing concern about the situation as well. Tricia Dickson, a longtime patient at Penicuik Medical Centre, has faced long wait times for appointments and believes the number of doctors is insufficient for the growing population in the area. The Scottish government has stated it is working to increase resources for general practice. Despite a target to recruit 800 new GPs by 2027, recent data shows a slight decline in the number of full-time GPs. The Royal College of GPs warns that declining numbers amidst increasing workloads make it hard to provide safe and timely patient care. The British Medical Association emphasizes that while Scotland trains new GPs, many are unable to find jobs and are considering leaving the country, resulting in a significant loss of resources. They argue for more investment in general practice to ensure that patients have adequate access to care. A Scottish government spokesperson acknowledged the vital role of GPs and highlighted an increase in investment of £73.2 million this year. The government remains committed to meeting its recruitment targets and improving access to healthcare in Scotland.