RCGP Scotland releases 2026 Scottish Parliament manifesto

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Scotland has today unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election. Titled General Practice: The Solution to the NHS Crisis, the document outlines seven key policy asks aimed at securing the future of general practice and enabling GPs to provide the highest quality care to patients.

The manifesto launch follows new figures from RCGP Scotland’s 2025 GP Voice Survey, which revealed GPs concerns with the impact of current workload pressures. Over half of GPs (52%) feel they lack sufficient time during appointments to properly assess and treat patients. 54% felt they don’t have enough time to build patient relationships to deliver quality care.

Recent workforce data shows that GP whole-time equivalent (WTE) numbers have risen for the first time since 2019. However, the workforce remains smaller than it was ten years ago, leading to difficulties in accessing appointments and shorter consultation times. Data shows the average GP consultation length in the UK is among the lowest in Europe, falling well short of RCGP Scotland’s desired 15-minute standard. More time with your GP affords better understanding of a patient’s needs and enables preventive care.

Recent research from the Health Foundation found that accessing GP appointments is now the public's number one concern for the NHS.

To address these challenges, the manifesto calls on political parties to commit to the following seven actions to strengthen general practice and support patients, GPs, and the wider NHS:

1. Increase general practice’s share of NHS funding
2. Expand the GP workforce
3. Direct resources to patients in deprived communities
4. Prioritise preventive care across the health system
5. Free up GPs to spend more time with patients
6. Modernise IT systems and premises to support high-quality care
7. Support general practice in transitioning to a net zero future

Commenting, RCGP Scotland Chair Dr Chris Provan said:

"General practice in Scotland is in crisis after years of chronic underfunding and neglect. Over the last decade, the GP workforce has shrunk and the proportion of the NHS budget going to general practice has decreased. Despite this, GPs are being asked to deliver more care to a growing and ageing population.

"Our manifesto sets out actions needed to strengthen general practice and protect patient care. It calls on the next Scottish Government to invest at least 11% of the NHS budget in general practice, with a longer-term ambition of reaching 15%. This investment is essential to end the workload and workforce crises that are currently hampering the ability of GPs to deliver world-leading care to patients.

"However, funding alone is not enough. It must be accompanied by a robust, long-term workforce strategy that grows the GP workforce in line with patient demand. This strategy must also address the unique challenges faced by practices in deprived communities and in remote and rural areas.

"We are also urging political parties to commit to modernising the general practice estate and upgrading outdated IT systems. GPs and their teams need fit-for-purpose premises and digital infrastructure that reduces bureaucracy and allows more time to be spent with patients.

"General practice is the solution to the NHS crisis. GPs prevent illness, reduce hospital admissions, and avoid costly interventions. It’s time for all parties to move beyond warm words and make general practice - and patient care - a top priority in next year’s election."

Further information

Media requests to Marcus Carslaw, Policy and Public Relations Officer RCGP Scotland
Tel: 07808 795493
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.