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Fife GPs: ‘We are in critical condition due to Scottish Government underfunding’

Family doctors have written to thousands of patients urging them to contact their MSPs amid fears a catalogue of challenges could lead to longer waits for appointments.

Lochgelly patients protested a lack of funding during a visit by then health minister Michael Matheson last year. Now GPs are hitting out. Image: David Wardle.
Lochgelly patients protested a lack of funding during a visit by then health minister Michael Matheson last year. Now GPs are hitting out. Image: David Wardle.

Fife GPs warn a lack of Scottish Government cash could lead to fewer patient appointments and longer waits to be seen.

They say underfunding has pushed struggling practices across the country to a critical point.

And they now face a catalogue of challenges, including understaffing, growing patient lists, unfit for purpose buildings, and ageing IT systems.

Lochgelly health centre patients staging a peaceful protest outside Lochgelly Health Centre during a visit by health secretary Michael Matheson. Fife GPs have complained about underfunding
Lochgelly health centre patients protesting against the state of the building last year following the withdrawl of Scottish Government funding. Image: David Wardle.

Their frustrations are laid bare in hard-hitting letter to thousands of patients this week.

Fife Local Medical Committee (LMC), which represents the region’s GPs, says the Scottish Government has broken promises and withdrawn funding.

And they tell patients: “If you’re not satisfied with the service you receive, look beyond the practice and instead hold those with the power to improve matters to account.

“The Scottish Government needs to do more to directly support general practice, the bedrock of the NHS. Please contact your MSP.”

The GPs’ letter follows an admission by NHS Fife it can’t afford to tackle its surgery backlog.

Fife GPs committed to providing best service despite underfunding challenges

The LMC insists practices remain “absolutely committed to providing the best service they can”, despite the difficulties.

But doctors reveal they are still waiting for a long-promised new GP contract in recognition of “fundamental challenges”.

The letter to patients claims: “Unfortunately, for the first time in the history of the NHS large parts of this contract have not been implemented.”

Valleyfield Health Centre had to rely on temporary staff last year
Valleyfield Health Centre had to rely on temporary staff last year.

And they say money provided by Holyrood to employ extra pharmacists and other staff has since had to be returned.

“There have been many further challenges, both local and national since then,” they add.

According to the Fife GPs, these challenges include:

  • Increasing building costs, including rent and utility bills, without any extra funding.
  • Rising demand caused by an increasing elderly population, more treatment options and growing hospital waiting lists.
  • Falling GP numbers, with 42% of Scottish practices now reporting at least one vacancy.
  • Small, outdated buildings, with the Scottish Government cancelling all funding for new builds.

Patients ‘suffering in pain’ due to lack of government support

North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie urged ministers to “wake up and listen” to the doctors.

The Liberal Democrat politician said: “Broken contract, antiquated IT, rising demand and understaffed practices.

Willie Rennie North East Fife MSP
North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie is concerned about the underfunding of GPs Image: Fraser Bremner.

“I hope ministers wake up because without a functioning GP service the whole NHS will struggle.

“Everyone has probably had to endure a long wait to see their GP or a member of the practice team.

“And often that long wait means they have to suffer in pain.”

The Scottish Government said it increased funding to general medial services by 6% over the past year to more than £1.2 billion.

“Scotland has a higher number of GPs per head than the rest of the UK, and a record 1,200 trainee GPs coming through the training system in Scotland,” they said.

“We are fully committed to increasing the number of GPs in Scotland and funded the creation of 35 additional GP training posts in 2023 with a further 35 being added this year.”

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