GPNs ‘will wait to see’ difference made by Scottish GP funding commitment 

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Scotland has said general practices nurses (GPNs) ‘will be waiting to see’ the difference made by a recent £531m funding commitment to general practice in the country.

This week, the Scottish Government announced that GP practices will receive £531m additional funding over the next three years – described by ministers as ‘the largest investment in core GP services to date in Scotland’.

The funding will help increase staff numbers and capacity, improve day-to-day operations and make it easier for people to access GP services, the Scottish Government has said.

The announcement, which is subject to the Scottish Parliament agreeing future budgets, follows a ‘formal dispute’ between the Scottish Government and British Medical Association (BMA) in June, citing ‘years of disinvestment in general practice’.

Related Article: Unison considering next steps after district nurses vote to strike

In the summer, the BMA said £290m of extra funding was required to ensure full funding restoration.

Eileen McKenna, associate director, RCN Scotland said: ‘While the Scottish Government has recognised the need to invest in primary care, our members working in general practice will be waiting to see what difference this additional funding actually makes.

‘For too long the rhetoric of shifting the balance of care has not been matched with action.’

Ms McKenna said ‘sustained investment’ was needed across primary care, prevention, community and social care to improve service capacity and population health.

And she stressed that nurses working in general practice must be ‘appropriately recognised and rewarded’ for their work.

‘This is not a pay deal’ 

Health secretary Neil Gray said the payment will ‘significantly boost recruitment’ in Scotland from next year and improve services for patients.

‘This is not a pay deal – it’s about stabilising practices and getting more staff into general practice,’ he cautioned.

Related Article: Scotland GPN vacancy rate fell in the last year, new data shows

‘I thank the BMA for their constructive discussions and look forward to working with the sector to ensure patients have the best possible care available, as close to home as possible,’ Mr Gray added.

Subject to future budget processes, a first investment of £98m will be made available for practices in 2026-27, with £183m being invested in 2027-28 and £249m in 2028-29.

The investment builds on the Scottish Government’s current annual investment into general practice of over £1.3bn, including over £100m in additional funding over the last two years.

‘Welcome recognition’

Dr Iain Morrison, chair of BMA Scotland’s GP Committee, said: ‘For some time, we have been clear that the only way to put general practice in Scotland on a sustainable footing for the future and to improve access for patients was direct investment into practices to recruit and retain GPs.’

‘[The] announcement, secured after a robust but constructive set of negotiations, is welcome recognition of that fact and reflects the level of funding needed to stabilise and rebuild general practice across Scotland in both urban and rural areas,’ Dr Morrison added.

Related Article: ‘Clear ambitions’ needed on boosting nursing student numbers

He described the funding as a ‘step in the right direction’ and a ‘vote of confidence’ in general practice in Scotland.

‘This investment should finally enable the profession to feel optimistic about the future and provides the opportunity to make working in general practice in Scotland the rewarding, safe and sustainable career it should be once again,’ he said.