Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Willie Rennie, has urged the Scottish Government to tackle a ‘looming’ GP crisis following revelations unveiled by a survey sent by the party to GPs across Scotland.

Some 38 GPs replied to the survey in the NHS Fife area and Keltybridge based Mr Rennie has been particularly concerned about the problems being experienced by people trying to find appointments at surgeries in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area.

Indeed, the Cowdenbeath Area Committee has been looking at ways of trying to highlight the problems being experienced at local surgeries.

The findings were unveiled in a report, “The Crisis in Scottish Primary Healthcare”, which analyses the responses of 389 GPs at 352 practices across Scotland.

It revealed: 37% said their workload was unmanageable; 60% GPs backed the abolition of the Quality and Outcomes Framework; 34% of respondents were unaware of the Scottish Government’s Primary Care plan; Of the respondents aware of the plan, 73.9% said the plan was not sufficient to address the challenges; and 44% of respondents stated that they would not choose to be a GP again if given the choice Commenting, Mr Rennie said, “I am grateful to so many general practitioners across the Fife region for taking the time to complete this questionnaire.

“Even though this report is based on a self-selected sample the large sample size provides confidence that it reflects opinion of general practitioners.

“The results are damning. Four out of ten local doctors who responded to the survey said their workload was unmanageable.

“Most would prefer to abolish the Quality Outcomes Framework of the Contract and of the remainder most want it reduced. 44 percent of respondents stated that they would not choose to be a GP again if given the choice.

“This report highlights the real pressure faced by local doctors in the North East.

“It is to be regretted that the Scottish Government was unaware of the looming crisis in Primary Care and appears to continue to deny that the crisis even exists”. Mr Rennie added, “My plea to the Scottish Government is to start listening to local GPs. Scottish Liberal Democrats support the Royal College of GP’s plan for change.

“It addresses funding, infrastructure, IT, the GP contract, recruitment and integrated care. All are measures which must be considered by Government immediately and urgently if we are to alleviate pressure on doctors in Fife.”