Craig Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, is calling on the SNP Government to set a target date for the return of face-to-face GP services.
Craig’s call comes after the Scottish Conservatives led a debate in the Scottish Parliament urging for SNP Ministers to commit to outlining when patients will be able to see their GP face-to-face in Lothian for routine appointments.
The SNP-Green Government and other parties voted against the Scottish Conservative motion.
Craig has thanked GPs in Lothian for going above and beyond during the pandemic but says they are completely overwhelmed. That is also having a knock-on effect on other health services in Lothian, including ambulance wait times and A&E services.
Craig says the SNP Government have been warned for years about a lack of funding for GP services in Lothian, but failed to take any action.
Commenting, Craig said: “The refusal of the SNP-Green Government to back a swifter return to face-to-face GP appointments in Lothian is extremely disappointing.
“The SNP cannot use Covid as an excuse. They were warned for years about how our GPs in Lothian were overwhelmed and underfunded, but they failed to take any action.
“Our GPs have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to support patients in Lothian but they are at breaking point. The SNP’s mismanagement of the health service over the last 14 years is failing GPs as they try to recover from the pandemic.
“By refusing to set this target date, SNP Health Secretary Humza Yousaf is letting down patients in Lothian.
“Humza Yousaf’s flimsy NHS Recovery Plan has provided no solutions to increase the capacity of GP services in Lothian and fix the spiralling the NHS crisis. The demands on GPs are having a knock-on effect on ambulance wait times and A&E departments in Lothian.
“As we head towards winter, these pressures will only worsen in Lothian. I will be continuing to hold the SNP Government to account, and push for a return of more face-to-face appointments between patients and their GP.”
