South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle is calling on the SNP Government to set a target date for the return of more normal, face-to-face GP services.
Brian’s call comes after the Scottish Conservatives led a debate in the Scottish Parliament urging for SNP Ministers to commit to outlining when patients will routinely be able to see their GP face-to-face in NHS Ayrshire & Arran
The SNP-Green Government and other parties voted against the Scottish Conservative motion.
Brian thanked GPs for going above and beyond during the pandemic and expressed his concern that many were being overwhelmed. The pressure on GPs is also having a knock-on effect in other health services, including ambulance wait times and A&E services.
Brian accused the SNP Government of years of inaction despite repeated warnings from GPs and politicians about a lack of funding for GP services across Scotland.
Brian Whittle MSP said: “The refusal of the SNP-Green Government to back a swifter return to more normal, face-to-face GP appointments is extremely disappointing.
“The SNP cannot use Covid as an excuse for the condition of GP services. They’ve been warned for years about how our GPs in Ayrshire & Arran were struggling to meet demand from patients and chronically underfunded, but they failed to take any action.
“Our GPs have worked incredibly hard during the pandemic to support patients in Ayrshire & Arran but the system is being pushed to the limit. The SNP’s mismanagement of the health service over the last 14 years is failing GPs and their patients.
“By refusing to set this target date, SNP Health Secretary Humza Yousaf is kicking the can down the road and leaving GPs & patients in the dark.
“The Scottish Government’s vague and flimsy NHS Recovery Plan has provided no solutions to increase the capacity of GP services in Ayrshire & Arran and fix the deepening pressures on the NHS. The growing pressure on GPs is also having a knock-on effect on ambulance wait times and A&E departments in NHS Ayrshire & Arran.
“As we head towards winter, these pressures will only worsen. I will continue to challenge the Scottish Government to take action and push for a return of more face-to-face appointments between patients and their GP.”
