RCGP Scotland response to Scottish Government’s announcement of an additional £15 million funding for general practice

Commenting on today's funding announcement, RCGP Scotland Chair Dr Chris Provan said:

"GPs and their teams strive to deliver a high quality of care, but they are increasingly struggling to meet the demand from a growing population with more complex needs - all while the GP workforce continues to shrink.

"RCGP Scotland welcomes the investment of £15 million in this financial year as a positive step. However, this funding alone will not transform general practice or undo years of underinvestment. It must be seen as the beginning of a sustained commitment to properly resource general practice - stabilising services, supporting the recruitment of more GPs, and expanding capacity to improve patient access.

"The Scottish Government has pledged to shift the balance of care and funding towards primary and community care. Investing in general practice delivers better health outcomes and offers significant value to patients, the wider NHS, the economy, and society. Today’s announcement must mark the start of that shift, which now needs to be accelerated to ensure general practice is strengthened and supported to deliver the high-quality care patients deserve."

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.