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GP recruitment problems affecting patients, doctors tell MSPs GP recruitment problems affecting patients, doctors tell MSPs
(35 minutes later)
Doctors from Scotland's medical profession have told MSPs that GP recruitment problems are starting to affect patients.Doctors from Scotland's medical profession have told MSPs that GP recruitment problems are starting to affect patients.
The British Medical Association's Dr Alan McDevitt told members of Holyrood's health committee that "crisis is now manifest".The British Medical Association's Dr Alan McDevitt told members of Holyrood's health committee that "crisis is now manifest".
And Dr Miles Mack from the Royal College of General Practitioners said "the truth" needed to be told.And Dr Miles Mack from the Royal College of General Practitioners said "the truth" needed to be told.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said she recognised the "challenging situation".Health Secretary Shona Robison said she recognised the "challenging situation".
Latest figures show the number of GPs working in Scotland has fallen.Latest figures show the number of GPs working in Scotland has fallen.
The Primary Care Workforce Survey also revealed that one in five practices had at least one vacancy.The Primary Care Workforce Survey also revealed that one in five practices had at least one vacancy.
Dr McDevitt and Dr Mack were giving evidence alongside Gerry Lawrie, deputy director of workforce, NHS Grampian and Lesley McLay, chief executive of NHS Tayside.Dr McDevitt and Dr Mack were giving evidence alongside Gerry Lawrie, deputy director of workforce, NHS Grampian and Lesley McLay, chief executive of NHS Tayside.
The panel were challenged by committee members on the use of the word "crisis" to describe the current recruitment issues.The panel were challenged by committee members on the use of the word "crisis" to describe the current recruitment issues.
Dr Mack said being a general practitioner was "a fantastic job" and he regretted having to talk about his profession in "negative terms", but he added "we have to tell the truth".Dr Mack said being a general practitioner was "a fantastic job" and he regretted having to talk about his profession in "negative terms", but he added "we have to tell the truth".
MSPs heard that;MSPs heard that;
Dr McDevitt said: "We are getting clear evidence now of a major recruitment problem.Dr McDevitt said: "We are getting clear evidence now of a major recruitment problem.
"In addition to that practices can't obtain locums when they go on holiday, for sickness and maternity - so we have very clear evidence now of a recruitment problem to general practice."In addition to that practices can't obtain locums when they go on holiday, for sickness and maternity - so we have very clear evidence now of a recruitment problem to general practice.
"In terms of determining what the problems are, we are now seeing them very real and they are actually beginning, I think, to affect patients and I think that is when it becomes a crisis when patient care begins to be affected by the numbers of general practitioners we have."In terms of determining what the problems are, we are now seeing them very real and they are actually beginning, I think, to affect patients and I think that is when it becomes a crisis when patient care begins to be affected by the numbers of general practitioners we have.
"The crisis, the shortage of of GPs, is now manifest and we are working very hard to change the fundamental nature of general practice to make it attractive for both doctors to stay in and to come into as a future career.""The crisis, the shortage of of GPs, is now manifest and we are working very hard to change the fundamental nature of general practice to make it attractive for both doctors to stay in and to come into as a future career."
The minister, Ms Robison, also gave evidence to the committee.The minister, Ms Robison, also gave evidence to the committee.
She was asked by Conservative MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton whether the GP profession was facing a crisis. She was asked by Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton whether the GP profession was facing a crisis.
Ms Robison said: "It is a challenging situation, without a doubt, and I have never shied away from saying so which is why I have spent a lot of my time, in fact since becoming cabinet secretary, I have probably spent more time looking at the issue of the future of primary care, and its importance for helping us to develop a sustainable NHS, then probably any other issue."Ms Robison said: "It is a challenging situation, without a doubt, and I have never shied away from saying so which is why I have spent a lot of my time, in fact since becoming cabinet secretary, I have probably spent more time looking at the issue of the future of primary care, and its importance for helping us to develop a sustainable NHS, then probably any other issue."
She told the committee that the more important issue was what to do about the challenges.She told the committee that the more important issue was what to do about the challenges.
Ms Robison believed it was important to focus on the future.Ms Robison believed it was important to focus on the future.
She went on to outline her plan, which included;She went on to outline her plan, which included;
In her evidence to Tuesday's health committee, NHS Grampian's Ms Lawrie said that the trainee GPs coming through now were not like the trainees "when I started in the NHS".In her evidence to Tuesday's health committee, NHS Grampian's Ms Lawrie said that the trainee GPs coming through now were not like the trainees "when I started in the NHS".
'Very negative image''Very negative image'
She explained that their expectations and career aspirations were very different.She explained that their expectations and career aspirations were very different.
Ms Lawrie identified an increase in the female workforce and evidence that male GPs were choosing to work part-time.Ms Lawrie identified an increase in the female workforce and evidence that male GPs were choosing to work part-time.
She added: "The image of a GP, I don't think, is particularly positive.She added: "The image of a GP, I don't think, is particularly positive.
"When we think how it is portrayed in the media and on the television in particular, in soaps, it is a very negative image and and we don't create an attractive opportunity for people to choose to become a GP.""When we think how it is portrayed in the media and on the television in particular, in soaps, it is a very negative image and and we don't create an attractive opportunity for people to choose to become a GP."
Dr Mack said the current state of general practice needed to be made clear.Dr Mack said the current state of general practice needed to be made clear.
He explained: "These doctors are training to be GPs and if they hear from my college that everything is rosy and there is enough money and the future is sound - yet they are seeing with their own eyes that doctors working 10 or 12 hour days who feel that their ability to work, their ability to provide safe patient care, is being compromised by the level of the workforce - it gives me no credibility.He explained: "These doctors are training to be GPs and if they hear from my college that everything is rosy and there is enough money and the future is sound - yet they are seeing with their own eyes that doctors working 10 or 12 hour days who feel that their ability to work, their ability to provide safe patient care, is being compromised by the level of the workforce - it gives me no credibility.
"It give the college no credibility and it gives none of the solutions that we have come up with the credibility that we have.""It give the college no credibility and it gives none of the solutions that we have come up with the credibility that we have."
Dr Mack believed it was "crucial" to look at the issues and take the right steps.Dr Mack believed it was "crucial" to look at the issues and take the right steps.