GP plan 'unworkable'

A PLAN to set up walk in GP centres across Scotland has been described as “completely unworkable” for rural communities like this region. Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson MSP has raised serious concerns over John Swinney’s proposal. He echoed the fears of his colleague Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Scottish Conservative Shadow Health Secretary and practising GP, who warned the plan will do nothing to address the permanent crisis in Scotland’s NHS or the 8 am scramble for appointments. Mr Carson said: “This announcement is yet another headline-chasing stunt from a government that has failed rural Scotland for years. In areas like Galloway, where we already face a chronic shortage of GPs, the idea of walk-in centres is simply unrealistic.We don’t have enough doctors to staff existing practices, never mind new centres. "Communities here need practical solutions, not empty promises. The SNP have been miles off their target of recruiting 800 more GPs by 2027, and this latest policy does nothing to fix that. Patients in rural areas deserve better than sound bites. We need investment in recruitment, retention, and infrastructure.”