Skip to main content
Scottish GPs crisis and whitewash of the vaginal mesh scandal show time’s up for Shona Robison
Shona Robison

FOLLOWING the scandal of charitable donations being used to bail out crisis-hit health board NHS Tayside, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard called for the resignation of Shona Robison, Scotland’s beleaguered Health Secretary. Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie then joined the call. 

These calls have sounded as the problems in Scotland’s health and social care system rapidly mount up. 

Across Scotland there is a GP crisis. From Shetland to Dumfries and all stops in between, communities are seeing their local GP practices buckling under the pressure of increased demand, with fewer doctors to cover this growing need.

  • 40 per cent of GP practices across the Lothian region have closed their lists to new patients because of a lack of available doctors.
  • Locum cover is being relied upon to keep the doors open. With cover costing up to £1,400 per day, only 23 per cent of practices were able to find locum cover for planned GP absence and only 9 per cent for unplanned absence. 
  • When vacancies for partners are advertised, there are often zero applicants for posts. We have the highest number of direct health board managed practices since records began, with 52 so-called 2C practices. 
  • Health centre staff are under huge pressure trying to cope with rising demand but with fewer GPs.
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking during the Reform UK
Voices of Scotland  / 7 January 2025
7 January 2025
It’s easy to lose your sense of optimism amid bleak political times. NEIL FINDLAY has some suggestions for what we need to see in 2025
Aslef flag
Features / 21 November 2024
21 November 2024
NEIL FINDLAY slams the shocking lack of facilities and breaks forcing drivers to risk health and endure degrading conditions following a new report from train drivers’ union Aslef
City of Glasgow College
Voices of Scotland / 18 June 2024
18 June 2024
The city of Jimmy Reid, Mary McArthur and other great class fighters must not be left without trade union learning provision, says NEIL FINDLAY
First Minister Humza Yousaf speaks to the media after First
Voices of Scotland / 1 May 2023
1 May 2023
Scottish Labour not only needs to develop policies on the big questions facing Scottish workers – it also needs a credible position on the constitution, argues NEIL FINDLAY
Similar stories
A registration form and a stethoscope at a GP Practice
Britain / 16 December 2024
16 December 2024
Britain / 20 August 2024
20 August 2024
NHS ward
Britain / 25 June 2024
25 June 2024