“When you are unwell or need support managing a condition, we know that you want an
appointment with a GP or member of the practice team as quickly as possible and with a
minimum of fuss. But, too often, that is something that practices struggle to provide.

If it often feels like you are in competition with hundreds of other people to get through to us and
secure an appointment, then that is because it is quite literally true We absolutely appreciate
that this is hugely frustrating at times, but practices and all our staff are working as hard as we
can. We simply do not have the resources, or sufficient GPs to do all that is asked of us. And the
explanation for that is the failure of the Scottish Government to invest in and recruit and retain
the GPs you – and Scotland need.

While the number of NHS consultants working in Scotland has increased by 30% in the past 12
years as the health needs of the population have increased, the number of GPs has fallen by
6%. In that time the number of patients registered with a GP has increased by nearly 9%. As a
result of this, while there was one GP for every 1,515 patients in 2013 there is now only one GP
for every 1,735 patients. Simply put, there are not enough GPs to provide the level of access to
General Practice that patients were previously able to benefit from.

Worse than that, despite the big increases in hospital staff numbers, patients are waiting longer
than ever for treatment and therefore need more GP appointments and support while they are
waiting. Despite General Practice in Scotland providing over 650,000 appointments every week,
it is simply not enough to meet demand.

Poor access to General Practice is frustrating for GPs who want to deliver the best possible
service and it is frustrating for patients who feel they are struggling to be seen when they need it.
The majority of Scotland’s 898 General Practices are run as independent businesses. They are
mainly funded with a fixed income, no matter how much work is asked of them to look after the
local community. With that fixed pot they must pay for all their staff, upkeep their buildings and
meet all their running costs. General Practice is recognised as being the most efficient part of
the NHS in the UK, but a lack of sufficient investment has resulted in where we are today.
Ultimately this is a result of funding decisions taken by Scotland’s politicians and will only truly
be addressed with sufficient investment directly into General Practice.

In 2008, the NHS spent around 11% of its whole budget on General Practice. Today, that figure is
less than 6.5%.

Practices have also faced significant additional financial turbulence in recent years, and the
recent increase to Employer National Insurance Contributions as a result of the 2024 budget at
Westminster will add further bills of tens of thousands of pounds to every practice. Without
funding from Government to meet this cost, the only choice that many practices will have, is to
cut services further. This means fewer doctors and nurses to care for you and a smaller
reception team to answer your calls and help guide you. “

Contacting your MSP: how you as a patient can support your local GP practice

“The problems in General Practice can be fixed, but it requires a commitment from politicians of
all parties to rebalance investment in the NHS so that General Practice receives a proportion of
funding in line with the way things used to be.

With proper investment, we can radically improve your ability to see a GP or member of our
team and can do so much more to deliver high quality health services in our local community.
We want, like you do, to see GP delivered care with continuity and quality at the heart. Free
healthcare for all cannot exist without an efficient and functioning General Practice. Help us
protect the core principles of the NHS.

If you want to see that protection and want to improve our services, please consider taking the
time to contact your MSPs and make clear that you believe more investment needs to go to
General Practice as a priority. By working together we can look to a healthier future.”

bma-infographics-for-gp-practices-bma-scotland.pdf

The surgery will be closed on the following public holidays -

Wedesday 25th & Thursday 26th December 2024.

Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd January 2025. 

If you need anything in these hours, please call 111 or 999 for an emergency. 

We wish you a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. 

The Practice Mental Health Nurse is part of the clinical team at the surgery.

They can offer a 20-30 minute appointment bookable at reception for any one over 18yrs. Your GP might recommend you make an appointment with the Practice Mental Health Nurse. The appointment will be a safe and confidential space to explore your concerns with compassion and care.

They will work with you on a plan to help improve your mental well being and can include many treatment options. Please feel free to make an appointment

Click to view the NHS attatched leaflet.  

1_NHSLothian_MentalHealthHelp_A5_4pp.pdf

We have received new guidance from NHS Lothian regarding the prescription of Diazepam for anxiety symptoms whilst flying: we regret that we are no longer able to prescribe Diazepam for anxious fliers. This is on safety grounds due to the risks of blood clots, over-sedation or unexpected excitation/ agitation which can all occur with Diazepam. Please click the link below for further information from NHS.

NHS Diazepam advice

This system is quick and efficient and will allow you to order your Prescription. There will also be a service to allow you to book Face to Face GP appointments online.

PLEASE MAKE SURE WE HAVE YOUR  CURRENT CONTACT DETAILS, PARTICULARLY CURRENT MOBILE PHONE NUMBER

Increasingly we are contacting you through your mobile phone number.  We have also significantly increased the number of text messages we send to our patients in recent months.  It is important that we have your current correct contact details.  If you suspect that the number we may have is not correct please click the link below.  Many of our younger adult patients ( those 16 years and over) may have the contact number for a parent or guardian in their record. You may wish to have this removed if you are a young adult, again please click the link below to have your details updated in your record with us.

To update your contact details, click here

Please hand form into the Surgery once completed or email to clinical.s70131@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk.