Written Question · S4W-28198 · Session 4
Which GP practices have come under the control of their NHS board in each year since 2011-12, also broken down by reason.
The question
To ask the Scottish Government which GP practices have come under the control of their NHS board in each year since 2011-12, also broken down by reason.
The answer
There are 43 GP practices run directly by health boards, making up a small percentage of the 987 practices across Scotland.
Arrangements under section 2(C) of The National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 which allows GP practices to be directly run by the NHS board, is a legitimate way in which boards can establish GP services which are more tailored to local needs. Health boards are responsible for the provision of primary medical services for their areas and they have a range of options at their disposal in ensuring appropriate service provision, of which direct provision of services, 2C, is one such option and is commonly used.
2C arrangements are not indicative of the number or proportion of practices in difficulty, and it’s important to note that this number has changed very little over the past decade. It is a legitimate way in which boards can tailor services to meet local needs, for example to address the needs of homeless patients, who otherwise may have difficulty accessing health care.
Although there is no agreed definition of difficulty, there is an increasing awareness of practices facing sustainability challenges across Scotland. The Scottish Government is aware that there are 11 practices currently receiving support from their respective boards. However the situation is a dynamic one and the number may increase or decrease.
Information on the reasons for changes in status is the responsibility of health boards, however Information Services Division of National Services Scotland produces practice reports that are updated quarterly. These can be accessed at the following website:
http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Workforce-and-Practice-Populations/Practices-and-Their-Populations/
Arrangements under section 2(C) of The National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 which allows GP practices to be directly run by the NHS board, is a legitimate way in which boards can establish GP services which are more tailored to local needs. Health boards are responsible for the provision of primary medical services for their areas and they have a range of options at their disposal in ensuring appropriate service provision, of which direct provision of services, 2C, is one such option and is commonly used.
2C arrangements are not indicative of the number or proportion of practices in difficulty, and it’s important to note that this number has changed very little over the past decade. It is a legitimate way in which boards can tailor services to meet local needs, for example to address the needs of homeless patients, who otherwise may have difficulty accessing health care.
Although there is no agreed definition of difficulty, there is an increasing awareness of practices facing sustainability challenges across Scotland. The Scottish Government is aware that there are 11 practices currently receiving support from their respective boards. However the situation is a dynamic one and the number may increase or decrease.
Information on the reasons for changes in status is the responsibility of health boards, however Information Services Division of National Services Scotland produces practice reports that are updated quarterly. These can be accessed at the following website:
http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Workforce-and-Practice-Populations/Practices-and-Their-Populations/
In the Official Report
2 contributions mention S4W-28198-
18 Nov 2015Portfolio Question Time
The cabinet secretary recently wrote to me, stating: “there is an increasing awareness of practices facing sustainability challenges across Scotland”.—Written Answers, 13 November 2015; S4W-28198. Including the Mid Scotland and Fife region…
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15 Dec 2015Redesigning Primary Care
I doubt that I will take an intervention from someone who did not take an intervention from me. They failed to mention the £347 million—as reported by Audit Scotland—unspent by the Scottish Government in the past year. The SNP cannot reall…