How do we get more GPs in Moray?

Richard Lochhead is hosting a meeting today regarding the future numbers and distribution of GPs in Moray.

Moray's MSP will be joined by the chief executive of NHS Education Scotland as well as the director of the Institute of Education in Healthcare and Medical Sciences from the University of Aberdeen.

Also present will be the chief executive of Health and Social Care Moray and other local clinical leads.

The aim of the meeting will be to consider the current challenges faced by health centres and GP surgeries in the area.

Mr Lochhead said: "I'm delighted to welcome representatives from NHS Education Scotland and the University of Aberdeen to Moray to join local representatives in discussing how we can ensure Moray has adequate GP provision in the future.

"In light of current pressures facing the service, including an ever-increasing workload, an ageing population and the impact of the pandemic, it’s important to focus on what can be done to support patients and also our hard-working GPs and multi-disciplinary teams and staff at our surgeries.

"To do all of that we need to train and attract GPs and do our best to have enough of them locally to meet demand.

"We also need to encourage young people from Moray into the profession, which could help too."

Since 2007 the number of GP practices across the NHS Grampian region has dropped from 84 to 69 – an 18% reduction.

However in Moray that fall is an even steeper 25%, from 16 practices to 12.

Speaking in June, two GPs warned a meeting of the Moray Integration Joint Board that local practices were facing "a perfect storm".

Dr Robert Lockhart, from the Maryhill Group Practice in Elgin, and Forres GP Dr Malcolm Simmons spoke of how a wide range of issues were causing prolonged pressure.

These included high energy bills, difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, plus an ageing population with more complex medical conditions.