WEST FIFE surgeries are struggling with a GP shortage as part of Scotland’s primary healthcare “crisis”, the Scottish Lib Dems have claimed.

Nethertown Surgery in Dunfermline and Kelty Health Centre are among a reported 13 GP surgeries across the Kingdom which are finding it difficult to recruit and fill the gaps in their clinical teams.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Willie Rennie raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions last week, warning that healthcare in Scotland was “heading towards a crisis” with GPs retiring early or going part-time, “leading to a major shortage”.

Fife’s Lib Dem group leader, Councillor Tim Brett, said, “This warning from the British Medical Association comes as various reports show increasing pressures on local doctors due to a lack of GPs. The SNP Government must do more to support GP surgeries in Fife, where 13 practices in Auchtermuchty, Ladybank, Newburgh, Glenrothes, Kennoway, Leven, Methil, Lochore, Cardenden, Kelty, Dunfermline and Lochgelly are all currently advertising for new partners.

This is a Fife-wide problem, showing that many surgeries in Fife are experiencing difficulties, and it is not nearly enough for the Scottish Government to keep its head buried in the sand in response.

“We know that doctors are retiring early, or going part-time, leading to a major shortage. Many of my colleagues report that constituents are experiencing difficulties in getting a GP appointment.

In short, primary health care in Scotland is heading towards a breakdown. It is simply not good enough to insist that the current approach is working; the SNP Government must act now and set out a plan to sort out Scotland’s looming GP crisis.” Dr Frances Elliott, NHS Fife medical director, confirmed that a number of medical practices in Fife had experienced difficulty in recruiting permanent GPs.

She said, “Medical practices are independent contractors; therefore, they are not managed by the Board and are ultimately responsible for their own recruitment.

"We are aware that some practices in Fife, such as Benarty Medical Practice in Lochore, Cardenden Health Centre, Kelty Health Centre, Nethertown Surgery in Dunfermline and Lochgelly Health Centre, have unsuccessfully tried to fill gaps within their respective clinical teams.

"In such instances, this may mean re-advertising to fill vacant posts or exploring other options, such as adapting skill mix employed within the practice. It is worth noting, however, that all practices in West Fife continue to provide on-the-day emergency appointments and continually review their access for non-urgent appointments.” A Scottish Government spokesperson said, “We’re determined to continue supporting and sustaining Scottish general practice, however, we recognise that there is more to do to improve access and we will work with the British Medical Association and the profession to achieve this.

Under this government, spending on GP services has increased by almost £70million and GP numbers have increased by seven per cent. There are now more GPs per head of population in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK.

The recently-agreed GP contract in Scotland will give general practice financial stability, reducing the bureaucratic burden and freeing up GPs to spend more time with patients. GP surgeries are also reviewing their access arrangements as part of this contract.

Last week, the Scottish Government and the Scottish General Practice Committee met with GPs in Fife to listen to the issues that matter to them and seek their views on the future of the GP contract in Scotland.”