Increasing GP Workload

The 'damning' results of a survey's revealed GPs in Fife are struggling with the volume of work facing them.

Conducted by the Liberal Democrats, it shows, out of 38 doctors in the Kingdom, 14 said their workload is 'unmanageable'.

16 said, given the choice, they wouldn't choose to become a GP again.

It revealed that, out of the 38 GPs who replied to the survey in Fife:

•       23 GPs backed the abolition of the Quality and Outcomes Framework
•       13 respondents were unaware of the Scottish Government’s Primary Care plan
•       Of the 25 respondents aware of the plan, 17 said it was not sufficient to address the challenges

In response to these results, Group leader Councillor Tim Brett said; ‘I am grateful to so many general practitioners across Fife for taking the time to complete this questionnaire.

‘Even though this report is based on a self-selected sample the large sample size provides confidence that it reflects opinion of general practitioners.

‘The results are damning. More than 1 in 3 local doctors who responded to the survey said their workload was unmanageable.

‘60% would prefer to abolish the Quality Outcomes Framework of the Contract and two-thirds of the remainder want it reduced. 42% of respondents stated that they would not choose to be a GP again if given the choice.

‘This report highlights the real pressure faced by local doctors here in Fife. It is to be regretted that the Scottish Government was unaware of the looming crisis in Primary Care and appears to continue to deny the existence of any crisis.

‘My plea to the Scottish Government is to start listening to local GPs. Scottish Liberal Democrats support the Royal College of GPs’ plan for change. It addresses funding, infrastructure, IT, the GP contract, recruitment and integrated care. All of these are measures which must be considered by government immediately and urgently if we are to alleviate pressure on doctors in Fife.’