Payments for teaching medical students in general practice in Scotland are to be doubled, it has been announced.

Under new arrangements, practices will receive £85 for each session with a student – an increase from £40. A recent analysis highlighted shortfalls in payments for practices and this has been supported by a review in Scotland, published yesterday.

The review, led by Professor John Gillies, deputy director of the Scottish school of primary care, also stated that medical school experience of general practice would increase the chances of a doctor choosing to be a GP.

The new payments will cost the Scottish government £5 million. The report also calls for capital investment to ensure practices have space for student teaching. There are also concerns about student access to broadband and wi-fi.

Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman said: “I am grateful to Professor Gillies and the Review Group for this report and fully endorse its recommendations. It is only right that GP practices are properly funded for covering the cost of teaching medical students.

“Implementing the recommendations from this report is part of a range of actions we are taking to ensure we deliver the GP workforce we need. We will have increased medical school places by 190 in total by 2021 – a rise of 22% from 2016 levels.

“In addition, we are widening access opportunities to study medicine in Scotland ensuring that more medical school places are offered to Scottish students so they have the opportunity to pursue a career here.”