Summary
The Scottish government has opened the first of 16 new walk-in GP clinics across Scotland to provide GP-led care without appointments. This £36 million pilot project aims to offer over one million extra GP and nurse appointments within a year. The clinics are intended for non-emergency, same-day medical issues, focusing on addressing appointment delays.
Key Facts
- Scotland has introduced walk-in GP clinics as a one-year pilot project with a budget of £36 million.
- The first clinic is located at the Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre in Edinburgh.
- The clinics aim to offer over one million additional appointments with doctors and nurses.
- Most clinics are expected to operate daily from 12:00 to 20:00.
- The first phase is limited to patients registered with eight local GP practices in south west Edinburgh.
- The clinics are not equipped for emergencies, long-term conditions, or repeat prescriptions.
- The Scottish government wants these clinics to tackle appointment delays in primary care.
- A rise in registered patients and a decrease in GP practices have led to more demand per GP.
