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BMA warns of potential GP shortage in Scotland

24/04/2008

Careful workforce planning is needed to ensure Scotland has enough GPs in the next ten years, the British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland has warned.

The doctors' group says there could be a GP workforce crisis as too few doctors are being trained to replace those retiring or leaving the profession.

Its briefing paper on the issue says one in five GPs plans to retire within ten years and that fewer new GPs are completing training.

The report also claims that half of GPs have low morale and warns that rural and deprived communities will be most affected by staffing shortfalls.

BMA Scotland recommends the introduction of a step-down scheme for GPs approaching retirement; an increase in GP specialist registrar places; and encouraging training opportunities in rural and deprived practices.

Dr Dean Marshall, chairman of the BMA's Scottish GP committee, said: "General practice is the cornerstone of the NHS and it is essential that Scottish government recognises the importance of planning a GP workforce for the future.

"There is increasing demand from doctors of both sexes for family friendly policies, including part time working.

"It is vital to support these policies not least to retain highly skilled professionals in the service, but with significant numbers of GPs now working part time, this represents a significant fall in the availability of GPs that must be addressed urgently."

Commenting on the report, health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "The Scottish government values the dedication of our GPs and they are offered a very attractive working package.

"We have robust GP workforce plans in place to retain and recruit doctors, so that we have enough to meet the demands of the NHS."

She added: "Trainee numbers are reviewed every year and take into account a range of issues, including retirement, that affect GP numbers. Last year, the number of trainee GPs increased by 50 to 887 and we will train the same number this year.

"This figure, and the total number of GPs, is very healthy and we are confident we will be able to fill future vacancies."