Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Sue Webber for the Lothian region is calling on the SNP Government to set a target date for the return of more normal, face-to-face GP services.
Sue Webber’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 routinely be able to see their GP face-to-face in NHS Lothian.
The SNP-Green Government and other parties voted against the Scottish Conservative motion.
Sue Webber MSP has thanked GPs in NHS Lothian for going above and beyond during the pandemic but says they are completely overwhelmed. That is also having a knock-on effect in other health services in NHS Lothian, including ambulance wait times and A&E services.
Sue Webber says the SNP Government were warned for years about a lack of funding for GP services in NHS Lothian but failed to take any action.
Commenting, Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Sue Webber said: “The refusal of the SNP-Green Government to back a swifter return to more normal, face-to-face GP appointments in NHS Lothian is extremely disappointing.
“The SNP cannot use Covid as an excuse. They were warned for years about how our GPs in NHS 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 NHS 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 NHS Lothian.
“Humza Yousaf’s flimsy NHS Recovery Plan has provided no solutions to increase the capacity of GP services in NHS 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 NHS Lothian.
“As we head towards winter, these pressures will only worsen in NHS 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.”
