GPs make population rise warning

Rising populations could place further strain on GP practices

New GP practices should be set up in areas of Scotland which are likely to see population increases, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said.

The organisation said the country's population was predicted to rise by 7% within the next 23 years.

It warned this would make it harder for people to make appointments with GPs, many of whose lists have already grown considerably in recent years.

The BMA said many small but growing practices were not financially viable.

Average list sizes for GP practices in Scotland have grown by almost 100 since 2006, BMA Scotland said.

At present there is no requirement for planning departments to consider the impact of new housing developments on local health services Dr Dean Marshall BMA Scotland

It called on the Scottish government to provide support for the creation of new practices where there was "significant population growth", such as areas with new housing development.

Town planners should also consider the impact of new housing on local health services, the group said.

It also said that small but growing practices "do not receive sufficient funding to make them financially viable".

The Registrar General predicted last week that 19 of the 32 council areas in Scotland would have increased populations by 2023.

The biggest increases are expected in East Lothian and the Perth and Kinross area, with East Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde expected to see the largest fall.

'Common sense'

Dr Dean Marshall, chairman of the BMA's Scottish General Practitioners Committee, said: "Everyone needs to have access to their GP at some point in their life, from immunisation of babies to care for the elderly.

"If we are to improve access and provide the range of services that patients need, then we have to make sure we have the capacity to deliver.

"At present there is no requirement for planning departments to consider the impact of new housing developments on local health services.

NHS boards review their local development plans for primary care services on an ongoing basis Scottish government spokesman

"We believe that it would be common sense to include this as part of the planning process."

Dr Ken Lawton, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (Scotland), added: "GPs and their practice teams across Scotland are doing an excellent job of providing high-quality services to patients but the impact of a rising population makes this ever more difficult."

A Scottish government spokesman said: "NHS boards review their local development plans for primary care services on an ongoing basis, taking account of all factors including the state of current premises and projected population changes.

"The Scottish government is continuing to invest heavily in new primary care facilities, last year announcing £82m over two years for primary care developments and modernisation across Scotland.

"Although there has been an increase in average list size since 2006, there has also been a marked and steady increase in the number of GPs over that period."