Warning of GP shortfall

Monday, February 08, 2010

The British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland has warned of a GP shortfall as the country's population continues to grow.

It claims that with Scotland's population expected to increase to 5.54 million over the next 23 years and an uneven increase of housing across councils, too much pressure will be put on local practices.

The body also warned that patients' ability to access services would be affected by bigger GP lists – average list sizes have grown by nearly 100 since 2006.

BMA Scotland and Royal College of General Practitioners are calling on the Scottish Government to draw up measures to ensure town planners have a duty to consider the impact of new housing developments on local health services.

They also want better support for the creation new practices where there is significant population growth.

Dr Dean Marshall, chairman of the BMA's Scottish General Practitioners Committee, said: "Everyone needs to have access to their GP at some point in their life, from immunisation of babies to care for the elderly. If we are to improve access and provide the range of services that patients need, then we have to make sure we have the capacity to deliver.

"At present there is no requirement for planning departments to consider the impact of new housing developments on local health services, we believe that it would be common sense to include this as part of the planning process."