MSP welcomes greater support for GP Practices

Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed additional funding of £15 million to be provided to GP practices to help them cope with extra pressures arising from COVID-19.

Around a third of the funding is intended to allow practices to remain open on Good Friday and Easter Monday if it is safe to do so – helping to alleviate pressures on out-of-hours services.

The remainder will help to cover costs of equipment, additional non-clinical staff, GP partners and locum cover for sickness leave.

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said: “I am extremely proud of how quickly GPs have responded to this challenge with flexibility and ingenuity and want to thank all GP practice staff for their incredible hard work throughout this pandemic.

"They are doing an invaluable job to keep crucial primary care services going in very challenging circumstances.

“There is also a huge amount of work being put in from the Scottish Government and across the system and now is the time for us to pull together, for clear thinking and strong leadership.

“I warmly welcome the package of additional funding for GP practices to help them meet some of the costs of responding to COVID-19.

"Part of this will help to cover the cost of remaining open on Good Friday and Easter Monday and the remainder will help to meet other costs being faced by practices during this difficult time.

“Our NHS is changing, and at the forefront of that change is the primary care response.

"General practice is part of that protective ring around the hospital system that will help us all cope with the surge in demand we are expecting."

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