RHODA GRANT: Time to address GP and healthcare crises is now
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Holyrood Notebook by Rhoda Grant
When a national issue arises, it is always a fear of mine that rural areas such as Caithness will face the brunt.
Last week British Medical Association (BMA) statistics showed almost one in 10 GP practices in Scotland have formally closed their lists to new patients.
Additionally, it was recently reported by the Royal College of General Practitioners that Scotland could lose 1500 GPs in Scotland in the next five years, with retirement and stress being the largest reasons.
That is a recipe for crisis. A GP crisis within our current NHS crisis leaves me fearful.
Last week, it was reported that Armadale GP practice in Sutherland will be formally handed back to NHS Highland as the two GPs partners are retiring. Which very much illustrates the above statistics.
Our Scottish Government need to do more to address this. In Caithness, recruitment and retention is one of the largest reasons why healthcare cannot provide the required service. Maternity, women’s services, dentistry... I could go on.
GPs are a vital resource and it rightfully takes time for them to qualify. If the Scottish Government are to stop the issue spiralling out of control, it does need to be addressed now.
A way to address this is to invest in ScotGEM. This is a graduate entry, undergraduate medical programme which takes four years to complete. It focuses on rural healthcare – in partnership with NHS Highland and other rural health boards – and when students qualify they could receive a £16,000 “return to service” grant in exchange for working in NHS Scotland for four years.
Earlier in the year, I submitted several written parliamentary questions on this programme. I found out that only 52 students graduated in 2022 and 46 were expected to graduate in 2023. That is not only a decrease but it is a generally low figure when compared to the number of GPs retiring.
The Scottish Government should invest in programmes such as this and encourage more to take part. Additionally, I believe more could be done to promote this to young people and those wishing a change of career.
However, as usual, this SNP-Green government cannot see the potential. Their lack of foresight and strategic planning are the reasons for the ferry crisis, issues relating to Highly Protected Marine Areas and the National Care Service, amongst others.
This country is in desperate need for change. Scotland has two governments that have been failing for far too long. A fresh start is available and it's available with Labour.
To end this column, I wish to highlight bladder cancer as we have just completed Bladder Cancer Awareness Month.
Nearly 1700 people in Scotland are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year. I stand with those affected calling for greater support for research into the causes of this cancer. Symptoms of this condition include blood in your urine, frequently needing to go to the toilet and recurring UTIs.
- Rhoda Grant is a Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands.
