Deacon's jab at doctors

Scottish doctors are calling for more resources

Scotland's health minister has accused doctors of "sniping from the sidelines" over a new report warning of rock-bottom morale among GPs.

Susan Deacon went on the offensive after it was claimed many GPs are considering leaving the NHS or retiring early because of increased workloads, bureaucracy and a lack of resources.

The grim picture was painted by the British Medical Association in Scotland - which warned patient care could be put at jeopardy unless speedy action was taken.

But Ms Deacon rejected the BMA's charges and said real progress was being made in improving the National Health Service in Scotland.

The minister has hit back at the GPs claims

"We are putting record investment into the NHS and working with staff to deliver real improvements for patients," she said.

"Privately the BMA have been very happy to work with us in taking forward that agenda, I think it is disappointing that publically they now, instead, want to snipe from the sidelines."

More than 80% of GPs who responded to the BMA survey feel more stressed out than five years ago and only one in four would recommend a career as a GP to a 16-year-old considering it.

It also showed almost 60% of GPs are now more likely to consider leaving the profession or taking early retirement.

It found morale among more than 70% of GPs has declined, with 55.8% describing it as low or hitting rock-bottom.

Above all, family doctors saw increased funding for practice staff, such as nurses and administrative staff, as the priority.

It claimed to have slashed bureaucracy and was starting to turn around 20 years of under investment.

Dr Harden: The service is facing crisis

A spokesman said £500m more was "going into health this year in Scotland - with spending rising to a record £6.7bn by 2003-4.

"We are actively working with GPs to take forward the radical programme of change and improvement set out in the Scottish health plan and we want to involve them more in that process."

He said the executive was addressing the issue of GP's pay, and that doctors would receive above average pay increases next year for the third year running.

But GPs say they want to spend more time with patients through a a reduction in levels of time-consuming bureaucracy.

The Scottish General Practitioners Committee, which conducted the survey, is now seeking an urgent meeting with Ms Deacon.

Committee chairman Dr Kenneth Harden accused the executive of burying its head in the sand while primary care in Scotland got steadily worse over the years.

Morale is said to be low among GPs

"The results of this survey make unhappy reading and show a service facing crisis," he said.

"One of the cornerstones of the NHS has always been general practice, offering personalised family care to everyone.

"That is now being eroded as GPs are asked to do too much with too little.

"Low morale and dissatisfaction with the system cannot continue without being detrimental to patients."

He added: "We don't want to be seen as moaning doctors and leave it at that.

"The present situation is not tenable and we hope the Scottish Executive will respond to this and take action.

"Scotland's doctors are not willing to continue with the present situation and are fearful that patients will be put at risk. We will do everything in our power to make sure the situation is changed."