MSP raises GP staffing issues in Aberdeenshire with health minister
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has written to Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Humza Yousaf regarding ongoing issues with GP recruitment and retainment in Aberdeenshire.
In her letter, Ms Martin told the Cabinet Secretary that she would like to discuss the possibility of expanding the Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine (ScotGEM) programme to incorporate the Grampian health board area.
The ScotGEM programme is a four-year graduate entry medical scheme designed to develop doctors interested in a career as a general practitioner within NHS Scotland, tailored to the needs of rural areas in particular.
Ms Martin said: “Limited staffing and GP numbers is an issue which I have raised consistently in parliament.
"GPs and practice managers in my constituency have told me that despite repeated attempts to fill vacancies they are getting no applicants, and existing staff are pushed to their limits as a result.
“Constituents have told me about their difficulties with booking appointments. My constituents fear losing the practices if the existing GPs feel they cannot continue to operate.
“We need to use all the resources at our disposal to support GP practices in the north-east to address difficulties in delivering patient care.
"My call to widen ScotGEM is only one of the suggestions I will be putting to the Cabinet Secretary at our meeting.”
