JUST two-thirds of Scots had a positive experience at their GP practice last year, a new survey shows.
The Health and Care Experience Survey received more than 130,000 responses, aimed at gauging how people experience the health service in Scotland.
When asked about their overall experience of their GP, 67% of respondents gave a positive rating, a drop of 12% from the previous survey and 23% from the first survey undertaken in 2009-10.
The exact same response was received by people who attended out of hours NHS services – a 12% drop in positive experience to 67%.
GP services were further disrupted last year because of the ongoing pandemic, forcing more patients to be seen by phone or virtually to avoid the spread of the virus.
The survey suggests a 49% drop to 37% of patients being seen by GPs face to face, compared to 57% who were seen by phone appointment, an increase of 46%.
Dr Sandesh Gulhane, the Scottish Tory health spokesperson, said the figures were “concerning”, adding: “Let’s be clear, the blame for them lies squarely with the SNP Government, rather than our overstretched GPs.
“As a GP myself, I’m acutely aware of the chronic shortfall in numbers across Scotland but especially in rural and remote areas.
“This is a direct result of the SNP’s appalling NHS workforce planning, including the decision by Nicola Sturgeon, as health secretary, to reduce the number of funded places for homegrown medical students at Scottish universities. That has led to insufficient graduates coming through to fill GP vacancies.
“Inevitably, that has made it harder for patients to get appointments – and forced them to travel further afield to access services – so it’s little wonder satisfaction rates are declining. This is a problem that predates the pandemic, so Humza Yousaf can’t use that as an excuse.”
Scottish Labour deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, said: “This damning survey lays bare the toll that SNP mismanagement is having on Scotland’s NHS and social care.
“The survey is full of praise for hardworking staff, who are clearly working tirelessly to try and fix problems they did not create – but there is only so much they can do.
“GP practices are doing their best but they are at breaking point and patients are paying the price, with the pandemic pushing us to a new low after years of decline under the SNP.”
