BMA Scotland warns GP workforce growth falls far short of government pledge

BMA Scotland has responded critically to the latest General Practice Workforce Survey, highlighting that while there has been a modest increase in GP numbers this year, the overall trajectory remains far below what is needed to meet patient demand across Scotland.

Dr Iain Morrison, chair of the BMA Scottish general practitioners committee, acknowledged the slight rise in GP numbers as a positive sign, but stressed that it must be viewed in the context of long-term stagnation. He pointed out that since the Scottish Government’s 2017 pledge to increase GP numbers by 800 over a decade, only 71 whole-time equivalent (WTE) GPs have been added—an average of just nine per year.

Morrison criticised the government’s continued use of headcount figures, which he argued do not accurately reflect the actual clinical capacity available to patients. Even by headcount, the increase since 2017 stands at fewer than 200 GPs, suggesting that the government is on track to meet its target only by 2050, decades later than promised.

The BMA’s response also underscored the financial pressures facing general practice. A £290 million funding gap has emerged, and Morrison warned that practices are being forced to do more with less. He noted that the current GP workforce is insufficient to meet the needs of an ageing population with increasingly complex health conditions.

The survey also revealed a decline in the number of independent contractor GPs, a model Morrison described as highly efficient and now under threat. While some previously vacant posts have been filled, many GPs remain unable to find suitable employment due to funding shortfalls. A separate BMA survey suggests that as many as 158 WTE salaried GPs could be added if adequate resources were available.

Morrison concluded that the latest figures should not be seen as evidence of progress, but rather as a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis in general practice. He called for the full restoration of the £290 million in lost funding to enable the sector to meet its potential and deliver the care Scotland’s population requires.

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