Written Question · S5W-26987 · Session 5
whether it will provide a breakdown of what action it is taking to address the "distinct recruitment issues across health and social care …
The question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of what action it is taking to address the "distinct recruitment issues across health and social care in remote, rural and Island areas", which were referred to in the paper, An Integrated Health and Social Care Workforce Plan for Scotland.
The answer
We are supporting remote, rural and island general practice with a comprehensive package of measures:
We have significantly enhanced recruitment incentives in the 2019/20 GP contract, investing £400,000 in recruitment incentives for rural GP posts across Scotland, and £200,000 for relocation costs for GPs moving to rural posts. This includes £10,000 payments to GPs taking up posts in rural practices for the first time and support with relocation costs.
We have increased GP relocation packages from £2,000 to £5,000 and widened eligibility to all remote and rural practices.
Since 2016 we have supported the Scottish Rural Medical Collaborative to develop recruitment and sustainability measures. In 2019.20 this included £69,450 to NHS Shetland to support the Rediscover the Joy in General Practice Project. The project has so far seen 33 doctors recruited from other areas to work up to 18 weeks a year in practices that previously found it difficult to attract a GP.
Scotland’s first Graduate Entry Medicine programme (ScotGEM) has a focus on careers in general practice and remote and rural working.
We are providing £500,000 for a new pilot shortened midwifery course at the University of Highlands and Islands. 19 registered adult nurses started the programme in January 2019 to become fully qualified midwives in just 20 months, and then work in the region. Funding has already been made available for 300 pre-registration nursing places through the University of the Highlands and Islands.
The Shaping the Future Together Report from the Remote and Rural General Practice Working Group describes the Group's first year of work. It sets out recommendations designed to support the ongoing process of implementing the contract as well as support future developments in rural General Practice and Primary Care.
We have significantly enhanced recruitment incentives in the 2019/20 GP contract, investing £400,000 in recruitment incentives for rural GP posts across Scotland, and £200,000 for relocation costs for GPs moving to rural posts. This includes £10,000 payments to GPs taking up posts in rural practices for the first time and support with relocation costs.
We have increased GP relocation packages from £2,000 to £5,000 and widened eligibility to all remote and rural practices.
Since 2016 we have supported the Scottish Rural Medical Collaborative to develop recruitment and sustainability measures. In 2019.20 this included £69,450 to NHS Shetland to support the Rediscover the Joy in General Practice Project. The project has so far seen 33 doctors recruited from other areas to work up to 18 weeks a year in practices that previously found it difficult to attract a GP.
Scotland’s first Graduate Entry Medicine programme (ScotGEM) has a focus on careers in general practice and remote and rural working.
We are providing £500,000 for a new pilot shortened midwifery course at the University of Highlands and Islands. 19 registered adult nurses started the programme in January 2019 to become fully qualified midwives in just 20 months, and then work in the region. Funding has already been made available for 300 pre-registration nursing places through the University of the Highlands and Islands.
The Shaping the Future Together Report from the Remote and Rural General Practice Working Group describes the Group's first year of work. It sets out recommendations designed to support the ongoing process of implementing the contract as well as support future developments in rural General Practice and Primary Care.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-26987 by reference.