Health boards and medical practices face 'unprecedented pressure' ahead of winter, warns Rhoda Grant
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North MSP Rhoda Grant has sought answers from the Scottish Government over the "unprecedented pressure" facing health boards and medical practices ahead of winter.
She warned of growing concern about future resignations of general practitioners in the Highlands and Islands.
The Labour regional MSP asked Scotland's health secretary Humza Yousaf what assistance the Scottish Government was providing to NHS boards, given the increasing burdens on staff.
She accused Mr Yousaf of "rehashing" his announcement from early October reiterating that the NHS will remain "on an emergency footing" until at least March 31 next year.
Speaking in parliament, Mrs Grant said: “There are many concerns around the Covid vaccine rollout, boosters and take-up of flu vaccinations at a time when health boards are grappling with additional staff shortages and increasing resignations.
“In my own region, GPs in Alness and Invergordon have notified NHS Highland that they will be handing back their contract from early next year.
“What is the Scottish Government doing to support GPs and health boards that are facing unprecedented pressure, even before winter pressures set in?”
Mr Yousaf replied that he could not divorce the impact of the pandemic from other pressures placed on the NHS and reiterated that the additional winter funding announced on October 5 would include significant investment, including primary care.
Mrs Grant said later: “Despite the health secretary’s assurances on liaising with the BMA [British Medical Association] and an expected ‘increase in GP face-to-face appointments’ there is a growing concern regarding the future resignations of GPs within the Highlands and Islands.
“This follows on from the announcement from NHS Highland that it will take over the running of Alness and Invergordon Medical Practice from April 2022.
“Mr Yousaf avoided answering the local question, which gives me the impression he’s not interested in the problems of delivering healthcare in our mostly rural Highlands and Islands.”
On October 5 the Scottish Government announced investment of more than £300 million in hospital and community care "to help tackle what is anticipated to be the toughest winter the NHS and social care system has ever faced".
The multi-year funding will support measures to maximise capacity in hospitals and primary care, reduce delayed discharges, improve pay for social care staff and ensure those who need support receive effective and responsive care.
Mr Yousaf said at the time: “As the winter period approaches, it is vital that we do all we can to maximise the capacity of the NHS and social care system. That’s why I’m setting out our £300 million NHS and Care Winter Package.
"We cannot look at the NHS in isolation. We must take a whole systems approach and these measures will help alleviate pressure across the NHS and social care.
“This significant new investment will help get people the care they need as quickly as possible this winter – bolstering the caring workforce by increasing their numbers, providing them with additional support, and increasing the wages of social care staff."
He said the NHS, social care staff and social work staff "have been remarkable throughout the pandemic".
