A plan to secure the future of GP services in Dumfries and Galloway has been given the go-ahead, with local health and social care leaders vowing to tackle growing pressures head-on.
Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) have approved a proposal to develop a long-term vision for general medical practices across the region, aiming to address recruitment struggles, rising demand, and evolving patient needs.
IJB Chair Andy McFarlane said: “This is a crucial period for primary care in Dumfries and Galloway. The pressures on our general medical practices have reached a point where we must take action to ensure they remain sustainable and fit for the future.”
The initiative will see health teams, local communities, and other stakeholders working together to review how GP services are delivered. Key areas of focus include improving recruitment and retention of GPs, making better use of technology, and ensuring patients know how to access services effectively.
Another key requirement is to promote a better understanding of how practices have evolved under the current General Medical Services (GMS) contract.
Practices are now increasingly staffed by a range of medical professionals with different, distinct areas of expertise – including Advanced Practitioners, Clinical Pharmacists and Mental Health Nurses – with the GP serving as expert generalist.
IJB members also requested more be done to promote more public awareness that practices are busier than ever, but now using more advanced appointing systems which help manage patient flow and reduce congestion in waiting rooms.
Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership’s Interim Chief Officer Nicole Hamlet said: “Our general medical practices are the bedrock of the NHS, accounting for 90% of patient interactions.
“They’ve adapted incredibly over the years, especially during the pandemic, but the challenges they face now demand we act to ensure their sustainability. This is about safeguarding care for everyone in our region.”
The move comes as rural practices across Scotland grapple with sustainability issues, with some unable to attract new GPs. Dumfries and Galloway has seen several practices hand back their NHS contracts in recent years, forcing the health board to step in and run them directly.
The approved proposal will now move into its next phase, with engagement planned over the coming months to develop a more detailed vision by March 2025.
Mr McFarlane said: “This isn’t just about keeping the doors open, it’s about reimagining what general practice services can be, making them stronger, more efficient, and better equipped to meet the needs of our communities.”
Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care
