Receptionists and practice nurses could take on new roles under a new deal in Scotland announced yesterday. The British Medical Association said the deal could enable GPs to increase the time available for individual patient consultations. As part of the deal, the Scottish government promised to maintain GP earnings up to April 2018. There will…

GPs and their staff in Scotland are to have access to NHS occupational health services, it was announced yesterday. The extension of free access to the service is expected to cost the Scottish government £920,000 a year. The service gives staff access to physiotherapists as well as nurse practitioners and occupational health doctors. The move…

General practice in Scotland is to get half a billion pounds extra a year, it has been announced. The Scottish government says it intends to meet demands of GP leaders to ensure that 11% of the NHS budget goes to primary care. It has planned to increase NHS spending by £2 billion by 2021 and…

The shortage of GPs in Scotland may be worsening, according to a new survey. Some 28.5% of practices reported having a vacancy at the beginning of this month, according to a survey of 500 practices. Last week official statistics showed that 20% of practices had vacancies in August last year – and half the vacancies…

A £20 million support package will see practices in Scotland getting a 1.5% increase in funding for expenses, it has been announced. GP earnings will increase by 1% while every practice will get oxygen cylinders, it was announced. The package was unveiled by Scottish health secretary Shona Robison at the country’s annual conference of local…