A review of GP services across Dumfries and Galloway is to be carried out in a bid to secure their future.
Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) has given the go ahead to develop a long-term vision for general medical practices, some of whom have struggled to recruit new doctors and have had to hand back their NHS contracts.
The process will aim to tackle recruitment struggles, rising demand and evolving patient needs, with health teams, local communities and other stakeholders working together to look at how GP services are provided.
IJB chairman, Dee and Glenkens Councillor 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.”
Key areas for the review include boosting recruitment and retention of GPs, better use of technology and telling patients the best way to access services.
There will also be an effort to highlight the wide range of medical professionals that can be found in practices – including advanced practitioners, clinical pharmacists and mental health nurses.
IJB members at last week’s meeting also called for more to be done to let patients know practices are busier than ever, with a more advanced appointing system in place.
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 per cent 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.”
Engagement is planned in the coming months to develop a more detailed vision by March.
Councillor McFarlane added: “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.”