Moray SNP News

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN GP SERVICES WELCOMED BY RICHARD LOCHHEAD MSP

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead has welcomed the SNP Scottish Government’s announcement of an additional £13.6m to support GPs retain and recruit key staff.

Health Secretary Neil Gray confirmed the immediate funding for this financial year (2024/25) which will help address financial pressures, support staff costs, and enable GPs to take on partners and salaried GP staff.

Commenting Mr Lochhead said:

“We are all well aware of the pressures and workload challenges facing our NHS, including our local GPs, and this obviously puts real strain on all staff working in general practice.

“I’ve heard first-hand from local GPs how these pressures are affecting teams in surgeries across Moray and so I very much welcome the additional funding from the Scottish Government to support GPs with staff costs this financial year. Hopefully these funds will support GPs in Moray as they work to retain and recruit the staff needed to meet the needs of the local population.

“This investment and support for our GPs from the Scottish Government is in stark contrast to the pressure being added to the sector by the UK Government’s decision to increase national insurance contributions. Local GPs are extremely concerned about the huge financial impact this will have on their practices and it is essential that the UK Government fully cover the costs – our GPs should not be paying the price for UK Government decisions.”