To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what it is doing to ensure access to primary care in areas that have a high projected population growth. (S6O-03647)

The global sum allocation for each general practice is adjusted every quarter to account for changes in its registered patients list, and growing practices should therefore receive a greater share of national funding. The Scottish Government uplifts general medical services funding annually to account for population growth. In 2023-24, that uplift amounted to £8.3 million.

Because of the indicative figures for future years’ capital budgets from Westminster, the Scottish Government has paused health capital projects. I am well aware of the particularly acute issues in Mr Beattie’s constituency and I await the outcome of the cross-Government review of infrastructure investment.

Many of my constituents in areas such as Wallyford and Whitecraig have raised concerns about access to services because of financial pressures on the local health and social care partnership. Will the cabinet secretary give an update on the impact on health boards’ capital budgets of financial constraints as a result of cuts by Westminster to the Scottish Government’s capital budget? How will he support my constituents to receive the best possible primary care, as the population of Midlothian North and Musselburgh rises?

I look forward to meeting Colin Beattie later this afternoon to discuss such areas. He is right that the United Kingdom Government did not inflation proof its capital budget. Based on the latest forecasts, our block grant for capital is expected to reduce in real terms by 8.7 per cent by 2027-28, which represents a cumulative loss of more than £1.3 billion. The result of that cut is that all new health capital projects have been paused.

Our emphasis for the immediate future will be on addressing backlog maintenance and essential equipment replacement to help to improve productivity. We will be able to give greater certainty on funding following the review of infrastructure investment that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government is carrying out, but I am clear that I want as many as possible of those projects to advance for the continued recovery and improvement of our health services, including those in Midlothian North and Musselburgh.

Three weeks ago, I asked the Deputy First Minister—who is in her place in the chamber—about the funding situation in Prestonpans group practice. Prestonpans is an area that has experienced significant population growth, with a growing population in the surrounding areas, including Blindwells. Will the cabinet secretary update me on what is happening and when my constituents and I will be able to meet him to discuss the financial cuts?

I am aware of the situation. We are in discussions with NHS Lothian on the issues that the member raises, and we have received assurances about some of the dispute resolution processes that it is looking to put in place. However, I am cognisant of the challenge that many GP practices have faced as a result. I know that Mr Whitfield has written to me on the matter and I will endeavour to get an appointment in the diary as soon as possible to have that discussion with him.

The cabinet secretary will appreciate that the population of my constituency is growing rapidly and significantly. In recent years, I have raised the possibility of creating a GP surgery at Ocean Terminal in Leith in order to meet new demand for GP practices in the area. That would likely have a lower cost than building new premises, and Ocean Terminal has recently been a very successful vaccination centre. I would be grateful if the cabinet secretary, working with the health and social care partnership, gave that idea further consideration.

I am acutely aware of the pressures that exist on services across Edinburgh, including those in Mr Macpherson’s constituency. I know that he has raised the issue on a number of occasions, including with my predecessor, and I am grateful for his continued efforts in that regard.

As Mr Macpherson knows, it is for NHS Lothian and Edinburgh health and social care partnership to decide whether new GP practices are needed in his constituency as a result of new developments or whether existing practices can expand. I am aware that access to services is an acute issue in Mr Macpherson’s constituency—as it is in Mr Beattie’s constituency, as we have just heard. In principle, we would support the use of facilities such as Ocean Terminal for new practices, but the decision is ultimately for the health board and the partnership to take.