General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am ar 26 Medi 2024.
Oliver Mundell
Ceidwadwyr
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve access to general practitioner appointments. (S6O-03775)
Neil Gray
Scottish National Party
Last November, the Scottish Government published the “General Practice Access Principles”. That report sets out a clear framework for the core principles of how GP services should be delivered—they should be delivered equitably, sensitively, reasonably and appropriately, making the most effective use of the resources and systems that are currently available.
We continue to work with all the relevant partners to effectively implement those principles, including through our commitment to the on-going recruitment of primary care multidisciplinary teams as well as 800 more GPs. Healthcare Improvement Scotland has already worked with more than 100 general practices to improve access arrangements.
Oliver Mundell
Ceidwadwyr
I thank the Cabinet secretary for that answer, but the current situation remains a disgrace. The move to the increased use of same-day-only appointments, which are rationed at 8 am, simply does not work for the elderly, the disabled or people with young children.
The latest in the long line of complaints that I have had from constituents includes one from an elderly couple in Dumfries—they will probably give me a clip round the ear for saying that the next time I see them—who tried on four occasions to get a doctor’s appointment. On day 1, there was a permanent engaged tone at appointment time, so they were unable to speak to a human voice. On day 2, it was the same again—there was a permanent engaged tone. On day 3, having spent 10 minutes getting to the front of a queue, they got a human voice, but there were no doctors available. Only on the fourth day, when they decided to complain to the practice, did they get an appointment. Does the cabinet secretary think that that is acceptable?
Neil Gray
Scottish National Party
What Oliver Mundell narrates is clearly not acceptable, and I believe that we should see access to GPs improving. We are seeing an increase in the demand on our primary care services, and GPs are under pressure as a result of managing more complex cases. However, it is the responsibility of individual practices to ensure that they have an appointments system that works not just for them, but—most importantly—for their patients. I would be keen to hear more about the case that Oliver Mundell brought up, so that the health board can look into whether the practice in question is fulfilling the terms of the GP contract.
Foysol Choudhury
Llafur
The Scottish Government’s “General Practice Access Principles” states that GP practices should
“use digital resources ... where appropriate and when people choose, to meet people’s needs.”
Deaf people or those with anxiety may find it more difficult to book appointments over the phone, and services such as Near Me are not available everywhere. Does the Scottish Government have further plans to support GPs in adopting digital infrastructure where they are not able to provide such services?
Neil Gray
Scottish National Party
I thank Foysol Choudhury for narrating the complex picture of how people choose to access their health services—in this case, primary care services. He is right to say that digital solutions are available for some people who are able to use them, but I am clear that that will not work for everybody, as he has set out. Therefore, we are supporting practices to be able to invest in not only the access requirements that I set out to Oliver Mundell, but digital services, where that is possible, and I would like more such support to be provided. We will continue to support boards in that work.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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It is chaired by the prime minister.
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Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.
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War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.
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